Former "Bake Off" Hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc to Star in Sky Comedy "Hitmen"

[JamesG]

Sky Cooks Up Comedy "Hitmen" Starring Former "Bake Off" Hosts Mel & Sue
by Peter White
Sept. 24, 2018


Sky has cooked up latest high-profile comedy "Hitmen", starring former "Bake Off" hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc.

The pay-TV giant, which had a busy weekend after Comcast lodged a $40B offer to takeover the company, has commissioned the six-part series to air in 2019 that will see the British presenters play a pair of contract killers.

The series is produced by Peaky Blinders co-producer Tiger Aspect, which is part of Endemol Shine.





Perkins and Giedroyc play misfits Fran and Jamie, who stumbled into a career in contract killing. Working out of their scruffy van, each episode follows the hapless duo as they try to carry out their latest hit, inevitably derailed by incompetence, bickering, and inane antics.

As each hit goes south, the pair are thrown into one bizarre misadventure after another, each full of oddball characters and unexpected dilemmas. As the mishaps rack up, Fran and Jamie’s friendship is put through the wringer. While affable goof Jamie seems content to spend her days hanging out with her best mate, the more sensitive Fran starts to question whether it’s really the life she wants.

Will their friendship survive their trials and tribulations? More to the point, as the jobs get increasingly dangerous, will they even survive?





"Hitmen" is written by Joe Parham, who co-wrote feature film The Festival, and Joe Markham, who wrote kids series "The Amazing World of Gumball".

It will air on Sky One. The producer will be Arnold Widdowson and the executive producers will be Myfanwy Moore and Siobhan Bachman.





Perkins said, “I’m delighted to be part of this project, I can’t wait to sit for months on end in a hot van with my old, flatulent, double act partner.” Giedroyc added, “It’s thirty years ago that I met Sue Perkins, and we had happy times together playing ridiculous characters, then spent hours in a fetid van in order to release them around the country. Essentially nothing has changed in the Mel/Sue collective. And that’s a great comfort.”

Moore said: “We are so excited to be working with the truly fantastic female comedy partnership that is Mel and Sue, who can brandish bullets and banter brilliantly in equal measure.”

Head of Sky Comedy Jon Mountague added, “It’s such a thrill to be able to bring our customers – who keep telling us they love comedy – such sparkling shows with world class talent. Over the last 18 months our comedies have won record ratings, a host of awards and the acclaim of customers and critics alike. We’ve set a high bar, and are extremely proud to be raising it with these new and returning shows.”

https://deadline.com/2018/09/mel-and...ky-1202469869/

[JamesG]

Sue Perkins & Mel Giedroyc Comedy "Hitmen" Renewed for Second Season by Sky
by Jake Kanter
August 20, 2020


"Hitmen", the scripted comedy vehicle for Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, has been renewed for a second season by Comcast-owned broadcaster Sky. NBCUniversal’s Peacock has also committed to acquiring Season 2 in the U.S. after it streamed Season 1.

Produced by Banijay’s Tiger Aspect, Hitmen is about two friends Fran (Perkins) and Jamie (Giedroyc) trying to make their way in the world with only each other to rely on. They also just happen to be assassins.

The second season, created and written by Joe Parham and Joe Markham, will see a new friend create a rift between Fran and Jamie, ultimately jeopardizing their double act.



Perkins said: “Couldn’t be happier that I’m back in the van with my 9mm and best chum.”

Giedroyc added: “The opportunity for two perimenopausal women from Surrey to get back into the action comedy hot seat is a) a rarity and b) just too exciting.”

https://deadline.com/2020/08/hitmen-...ck-1203018516/