“Shedites” Comedy Special Begins Filming with Brendan O’Carroll and Star-Studded Cast
A new half-hour comedy special, “Shedites,” is currently in production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, promising a heartwarming and humorous look at life in an Irish men’s shed. The series, created and written by Paddy Houlihan, is slated to be part of the BBC’s festive programming this Christmas.
The show centers around the men’s shed – a community space where men find camaraderie, purpose, and, of course, a good cup of tea while building and repairing things. “Shedites” explores the unlikely friendships forged within this surroundings and the simple joys of shared purpose.
The ensemble cast boasts a wealth of comedic talent, including Brendan O’Carroll (known for “Mrs. Brown’s Boys”), Phil Davis (“Trying”), Simon Delaney (“Lockerbie”), Danny O’Carroll (“Mrs. Brown’s Boys”), Shane Casey (“The Young Offenders”), Paddy Houlihan (“Mrs. Brown’s Boys”), and Deirdre O’Kane (“Moone Boy”).
Did you know?-Men’s sheds are a growing global movement, providing spaces for men to connect, learn new skills, and combat social isolation.
The narrative follows Jimmy (O’Carroll), Harry (Davis), Gavin (Delaney), Cheesy (O’Carroll), Paul (Casey), and Paddy the Liar (Houlihan) as they embark on a mission to construct a bicycle from recycled parts. Their goal? To win the local “santa Spin” race. Success would be a rare victory for the group, while failure will undoubtedly be highlighted by Councillor Orla (O’Kane).
According to a statement from the series creator, “It’s a privilege to see actors I’ve admired for years bring real depth to characters that began in my imagination. Alongside a crew who’ve poured skill and graft into every frame, they’ve taken what was on the page and lifted it to the screen with humour, honesty, and heart. Watching ‘Shedites’ come to life has been a surreal experience.”
O’Carroll echoed this sentiment,stating,”It’s inspiring and exciting to be filming ‘Shedites.’ I saw this as a germ of an idea in Paddy’s head. To see it come to fruition is everything his talent deserves.”
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, described “Shedites” as a “warm, charming and funny comedy special that should deliver a shed full of laughs,” praising Houlihan’s talent for “character-led humour that properly lands.”
Steven Canny,Executive Producer for BBC Studios Comedy,highlighted Houlihan as “a true original – a seasoned comic performer with a brilliant instinct for dialog and a fantastic grasp of comic storytelling.” The production team is “delighted to be entering the shed and introducing the audience to the splendid range of characters he’s created.”
“Shedites” is a BBC Studios Comedy production (1 x 30 minutes) in partnership with BOC-PIX. The project was commissioned by Jon Petrie, with Josh Cole and Steven Canny serving as Executive Producers for BBC Studios Comedy and Brendan O’Carroll as executive Producer for BOC-PIX. Seb Barwell is the Commissioning Editor for the BBC.
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The series promises a blend of relatable characters, heartwarming moments, and genuine humor, offering a refreshing take on community and the importance of connection.
