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New Sky comedy ‘Rovers’ kicks off filming at Space Studios Manchester

New Sky comedy ‘Rovers’ kicks off filming at Space Studios Manchester

Posted 14th Dec 2015 at 12:10 by Tom Clarke

  • New comedy about football fans commissioned by Sky 1 takes up residence at Manchester’s flagship production facility
  • Joining other productions currently underway at Space Studios Manchester including ‘The A Word’ (Fifty Fathoms, Tiger Aspect, Keshet) and ‘Houdini & Doyle’ (Big Talk Productions)

Space Studios Manchester has secured ‘Rovers’, a new 6 x 30” comedy from Jellylegs Productions for Sky 1. Set to begin filming in Space 01, Rovers will take up residence in one of the purpose built stages at Space Studios Manchester from now until the end of the year, while also making use of the extensive office zones and support facilities.

suej-605x301Starring The Royle Family’s Sue Johnston Rovers promises to be an original take on the goings on of lower league football, giving audiences the opportunity to pull up a stool in the team’s clubhouse; the home of this one big family of supporters and their useless club.

After gaining a following in front of the camera, Joe Wilkinson (Him & Her) and David Earl (Derek) have teamed up to pen the down-to-earth comedy about the fans of a local lower league football team Redbridge Rovers, produced by Jellylegs, the production company co-founded by Craig Cash (The Royle Family).

Fully operational since November 2014, 2015 has seen a number of critically claimed dramas and comedies made at Space Studios Manchester come to air, including: for Channel 4, No Offence, the BBC’s flagship entertainment series, Dragon’s Den, BBC Two’s transgender comedy Boy Meets Girl, and Cradle to Grave, BBC Two’s highest rating original drama of the year.

Susan Woodward, Founder of Space Studios Manchester, said of the news: “If there are two things Manchester is known for across the UK and world, it’s football and television, making Space Studios Manchester the perfect home for what is set to be a wonderful new comedy. Barely a year since we first opened all our stage doors we’re privileged to have played host to some of the year’s most memorable new and returning series, a trend we fully intend to continue into 2016 and beyond.”

Gill Isles, Producer of Rovers said: “Rovers is all about the fans who week in, week out turn up to support their local team. It’s a real celebration of non-league football and it’s a pleasure to be shooting it at Space Studios Manchester”.

Construction on an expansion phase creating a 30,000 sq. ft. sound stage and associated support spaces, plus 50,000 square feet of business support rental space at Space Studios Manchester, is now underway

Space Studios Manchester
Vaughan Street
West Gorton
Manchester
M12 5FQ

0161 205 5508

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