Richard E. Grant brings Gold a dose of Ealing Comedy

12 May 2016 Gold, UKTVs 24-carat comedy channel, today announced brand new UKTV Original series Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (3x60) to air later this year.

The three-part documentary series exploring one of British cinemas most powerful brands is fronted by actor and director, Richard E. Grant and produced by Phil McIntyre TV (Monty Python Live, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled) for Gold. The series will work closely with film giant Studio Canal to unlock a wealth of never-before-seen footage and stills of one of British cinemas most iconic brands - Ealing Comedies.

Richard E. Grant said,

Between 1939 and 1955, comedy gold was mined at Ealing with the 40 carat talents of Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway and the inimitable Joan Greenwood, to name but a few. Its a privilege to have the opportunity to present these documentaries. Ealing for me was the studio that put Britain on the cinematic map and its been great to have the chance to watch all the films again and chat to both my friends and the people who share my love of Ealing Comedy.

Richard E. Grant tells the story of the studio during its comedy heyday and looks at the impact the modestly budgeted movies have had on British humour. He will be joined by a host of famous faces, comedy heroes and iconic filmmakers including Peter Capaldi, Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Paul Whitehouse. All sharing their fond memories of the iconic brand.

To celebrate the new series Gold will also air a season of classic films including Passport to Pimlico, Kind Hearts and Coronets and The Lavender Hill Mob.

Whats more, Richard will visit some of the places that provided the backdrop to the most memorable film moments, such as the backstreets of Battersea and Bermondsey, Leeds Castle in Kent and not forgetting, Ealing Studios.

Richard Dean, series producer and director for Phil McIntyre TV said,

Ive always wanted to work with Richard E. Grant, and after filming with him over the past few months, it has to be said that hes lived up to all of my expectations - hes extremely funny, incredibly knowledgeable and completely unpredictable. I hope the Gold audience enjoys watching these three Ealing documentaries as much as we have enjoyed making them... to put it in Mr Grants words, Its been a blast.

Iain Coyle, UKTV senior commissioning editor, added,

Im really looking forward to this both as a viewer and as a commissioner. Gold doesnt do archive shows by half and adding Ealing Comedies and Richard E. Grant to the mix is all the more reason to watch. The guests Richard is lined up to talk to are spectacular, itll be a real treat for the viewers and lovers of classic comedy.

Steve North, general manager for Gold, said,

We are over the moon to welcome Richard E. Grant to Gold. Hes the perfect fit for the channel and will offer a fascinating insight into the endearing past of the Ealing Comedies. The film season will give viewers a chance to enjoy the great classics that inspired the British cinema.

Richard Dean also writes the series which will be executive produced by Phil McIntrye TVs Lindsay Jex and Lucy Ansbro with UKTVs Iain Coyle. Steve North and UKTVs director of commissioning Richard Watsham ordered Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies for UKTV.

The series will air on Gold in September, and follows the recent announcement of Marleys Ghosts returning for a second series, starring John Hannah, Jo Joyner, Sarah Alexander and Nicholas Burns.

Notes to Editors: Richard E. Grant will be available for interview nearer to TX.

For all press enquiries and interview requests please contact; Gem Pinkney, Publicity Manager

or

Kerry Parker, Head of Network Communications

About Gold Sky 110, Virgin 126, BT and TalkTalk 408 On demand on Sky, Virgin and Now TV Dedicated to celebrating the best of British comedy, Gold is the nations favourite comedy channel.

Much-loved comedy series such as Only Fools and Horses, The Vicar of Dibley and Outnumbered sit alongside successful commissions including Comic Strip Presents...Red Top and Catherine Tates Do Not Disturb, and the live broadcast of the final ever performance of the Monty Python Live (mostly): One Down Five to Go stage show which became the highest rating programme in Golds history in 2014.

The perfect tonic to make you laugh whatever the time of day, Gold shows universally funny content that everyone can enjoy.

Gold.uktv.co.uk / @goldtvchannel

About UKTV UKTV is the biggest multichannel broadcaster in the UK.

The award-winning independent has eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, W, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food. These include the two most popular non-PSB channels in the UK and account for 9.31% of the British commercial TV market. The companys most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £319m and EBITDA of £82m. It invested £148m in programming and related launches last year, and is becoming an increasingly significant investor in UK creativity.

UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC, alongside programmes originally shown on ITV and Channel 4. The network embraces technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat, Amazon Fire and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.

Now celebrating its 23rd year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British television broadcaster in The Sunday Times top 100 companies list.

corporate.uktv.co.uk / press.uktv.co.uk / @uktv_press

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