Lymm set to feature in new TV comedy drama

PICTURESQUE Lymm village is the setting for a new TV comedy series featuring Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted, My Hero) and John Thomson (Cold Feet, The Fast Show).
The show ‘After Hours,’ which is currently being filmed in the village is written and produced by Craig Cash of the Royle Family fame.
The six part 30 minute comedy drama written by Molly Naylor and John Osborne which will broadcast on Sky1 next year also features Jaime Winstone (Mad Dogs, Made In Dagenham).
Chairman of Lymm Festival Ian Marks said: “We are delighted that Jellylegs and Sky have chosen Lymm as their location for the series.
It has created quite a buzz in the village with so much activity going on. We are all looking forward to seeing the final result.”
During filming a number of key locations from Lymm will be used including a property on Grove Rise overlooking the Lower Dam.
After Hours follows the journey of Willow Hannigan (James Tarpey, The World’s End), an 18 year old music lover who’s just had his heart broken for the first time. There are no jobs, his beautiful ex-girlfriend Jasmine (Georgina Campbell, Ice Cream Girls) has moved on to someone new and most of his mates have gone away to university whilst he’s been left behind, living with his parents. The only thing that keeps him sane, other than his best friend Chris (Fergus Van Gelder) is listening to After Hours. Broadcast from a canal boat, After Hours is a local internet radio show run by Lauren (Jaime Winstone) and Ollie (Rob Kendrick, Sugartown), two friends in their late 20s who have somehow, ended up living in Shankly. Ardal O’Hanlon stars as Willow’s dad, Peter Hannigan, an ex-milkman who found himself jobless when the big supermarket opened, he’s married to Anna (Susan Cookson, Early Doors, Mount Pleasant) who would secretly love a job at the new supermarket and Thomson plays Geoff, Peter’s best friend who finds sanctuary on the Hannigan’s sofa.
Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy, Sky, who has commissioned the series from Jellylegs Productions, said “After Hours is a beautifully written series about growing up in a small Northern town which will capture the hearts of our Sky 1 customers. We’re delighted to be working with Craig Cash again.”
Craig Cash, Executive Producer and Director said: “John and Molly have created a world which is not only very funny but has genuine warmth at its heart. It’s a pleasure to be working with such talented new writers and a cast of great comic actors”.
Ardal O’Hanlon (pictured left) added: “I’m delighted to be a part of After Hours. It’s warm, funny and moving and the soundtrack is amazing.”
John Thomson commented: “It’s great to be working with Jellylegs and my old friend Craig Cash. It’s a joy to be working in my hometown with a great cast, strong script and a lovely crew.’
Jaime Winstone said: “I’m really excited to be working with Craig Cash and the lovely crew. I loved the script and it’s great to be back in Manchester.”