Mark Bonnar and Ashley Jensen cast in 'beautiful' one off BBC sitcom
Line of Duty star Mark Bonnar has been cast with Shetland actress Ashley Jensen in a new BBC sitcom.
Mark Bonnar and Ashley Jensen have been cast in new BBC sitcom Rambling.
The upcoming one-off sitcom stars the pair as "unlikely ravelling companions" Gerry (Bonnar) and Cat (Jense), set in rural Scotland.
In a press release, the BBC teased: "You’d never put Gerry and Cat together. He’s order, she’s chaos. Gerry plans every step. Cat gets lost on the way to the car park.
"Gerry’s on a mission to fulfil a promise to his recently deceased brother. Cat’s flying solo having been thrown out a walking group that was supposed to be a fresh start for her.
"The more they walk and talk, they discover they’re travelling on common ground. Rambling is a feel-good Scottish sitcom all about putting your best foot forward."
Bonnar, known for his roles in the likes of Line of Duty and Guilt, admitted playing Gerry will be a fresh experience.
He said: "I’m so thrilled to be doing this beautifully written, very funny script by Iain and Sharon.
"I’ve never played someone quite like Gerry before and I can’t wait to get cracking! On top of that, to be reunited with the wonderful Ashley Jensen! Doesn’t get any better.”
Ashley, who is reuniting with her Catastrophe co-star in the comedy, heaped praise on writers Iain Connell and Sharon Young, who worked together on The Scotts.
She added: "Sharon and Ian’s script is about nothing and everything. It’s smart, honest, poignant, moving and funny. It’s about loss, loneliness, and our need for connection.
"I started my career with the BBC Comedy unit a long time ago, so I am delighted to return and be part of Rambling and to be reunited with the talented Mark Bonnar along with a resilient and incredibly skilled crew with whom we will be braving the Scottish elements to bring this beautiful special to life.”
Ashley has also appeared in shows like Ugly Betty Shetland and Extras.
Rambling will air as one 30 minute episode on BBC One, BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer.
Gavin Smith, Commissioning Editor at BBC Scotland, commented: “We’re delighted to be bringing Iain and Sharon’s hilarious outdoorsy sitcom to the screens in this one off special.
"It’s packed with brilliant banter and who better to be rambling on while rambling along than the wonderful Ashley Jensen and Mark Bonnar.”
And Navi Lamba, Commissioning Editor at BBC Comedy, said: "Some of the best comedies come from forcing unlikely people together, and Rambling does exactly that.
"Iain and Sharon have created a deeply relatable sitcom and I can’t wait for people to fall for Cat and Gerry."
