A brand new sitcom, Can You Keep A Secret, is set to bring a mix of laughter and suspense to BBC One this January, starring comedy legends Dawn French and Mark Heap.
Premiere Date and Plot
The series makes its debut on Wednesday, January 7 at 9:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The show follows the story of Debbie Fenton, played by Dawn French, and her husband William, portrayed by Mark Heap. The couple sees a golden opportunity when William is mistakenly declared dead and they decide to fake his death to claim a life insurance payout.
This outlandish plan puts immense pressure on their family, particularly their son Harry, played by Craig Roberts. His wife, Neha, is a local police officer, a role taken on by Mandip Gill, making the secret increasingly difficult to maintain.
Star-Studded Cast and Characters
The show boasts a stellar cast of British television favourites. Dawn French, famed for The Vicar of Dibley and French and Saunders, leads as the determined and morally conflicted Debbie. She is joined by Mark Heap, known for Friday Night Dinner and Green Wing, as the ailing William.
Craig Roberts (Red Oaks, Submarine) plays their anxious son, Harry. Completing the central family is Mandip Gill, recently seen leading Channel 5's Cooper & Fry and known for Doctor Who, as police officer Neha.
Filming Locations and Episode Details
Despite Dawn French's initial hopes to film in Cornwall, production for Can You Keep A Secret took place in Somerset. Key filming locations included Axbridge's Medieval Town Square, the Waterfall Café in Cheddar Gorge, and the Ten Acre Woods near Axbridge, which served as the Fendon family home.
The series will consist of six episodes, each airing weekly on Wednesday nights at the 9:30pm slot. The show promises a unique blend of sitcom humour and thriller tension, exploring family dynamics under extraordinary pressure.
Writer Simon Mayhew-Archer highlighted the show's relatable core, stating it deals with the universal "circle of life" and the challenging 'sandwich' generation, making the characters' extreme choices understandable to audiences.
