A brand new sitcom blending comedy with thriller elements is set to arrive on BBC One this week. 'Can You Keep A Secret?' stars comedy legends Dawn French and Mark Heap in a story about a family pushed to extreme measures.
Plot and Premiere Details
The series follows Debbie Fenton, played by Dawn French, and her husband William, portrayed by Mark Heap. After William is mistakenly declared dead, the couple seize a chance to fake his death and claim his life insurance. Their outlandish plan puts immense pressure on the family, especially their son Harry, played by Craig Roberts, whose wife Neha is a local police officer.
The show makes its debut on Wednesday, 7 January at 9:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The first series will consist of six 30-minute episodes, airing weekly.
Meet the Star-Studded Cast
The ensemble features some of Britain's best-loved comedic and dramatic talent. Dawn French leads as the formidable Debbie, a role she was drawn to for its unique hybrid of sitcom and thriller. She is joined by Mark Heap as her ailing husband William.
Their on-screen son, the anxious Harry, is played by Craig Roberts. Completing the central family is Mandip Gill, taking on the role of the pragmatic police officer Neha, Harry's wife. Gill is fresh from leading Channel 5's crime drama 'Cooper & Fry'.
Behind the Scenes in Somerset
Despite Dawn French's initial hopes to film in her native Cornwall, production for 'Can You Keep A Secret?' was based in Somerset. Key filming locations included the historic Medieval Town Square in Axbridge and the Waterfall Café in Cheddar Gorge.
The fictional Fendon family home was shot at Ten Acre Woods near Axbridge. French praised the cast and crew, noting that filming away from home created a tight-knit 'gang' atmosphere that benefited the production.
Writer Simon Mayhew-Archer suggests the show's farcical situation is rooted in relatable family dynamics. He points to the universal 'circle of life' and the pressures of being sandwiched between caring for ageing parents and young children as a core theme audiences will connect with, despite the criminal antics.
