BBC2 unveils new Coogan comedy

BBC2 has given further details about its Steve Coogan-fronted comedy Saxondale (7×30′), in which Coogan stars as an ex-roadie with anger management issues.

Produced by Coogan’s indie Baby Cow, the comedy introduces Tommy Saxondale, who now runs a pest control business in Stevenage.

Having survived a hostile divorce, Tommy lives with his girlfriend Magz, played by Ruth Jones (Nighty Night, Little Britain), proprietress of anarchic t-shirt shop Smash the System.

But as well as pharaoh ants, mice and, occasionally, moths, Tommy also has to battle with snowboarding idiots, pigeon-loving activists – and people who talk about property prices.

Over the seven episodes, Tommy gets his eyesight improved by a prostitute, almost befriends a celebrity, kneecaps an annoying hippy and experiments with women’s make-up.

Reflecting on his previous incarnation, Alan Partridge, Coogan said: “The joke with Partridge was always at Alan’s expense, whereas Tom is genuinely witty… whilst still being a bit of a dick.”

The series also stars Morwenna Banks (Catterick, Monkey Trousers, Absolutely) and Rasmus Hardiker (The Rotters Club, Funland).

Lucy Lumsden, controller of comedy commissioning at the BBC, said: “Steve’s created a wonderful character in Tommy.”

Saxondale is written by Steve Coogan and Neil Maclennan, directed by Matt Lipsey (Supernova, Catterick, Little Britain) and produced by Ted Dowd (Ideal, Nighty Night), with Steve Coogan and Henry Normal as executive producers. It is due to air next month.