Sky 1 HD re-visits the Starlings this July
· Brendan Coyle and Lesley Sharp return to Steve Edge and Matt King’s comedy drama
· Una Stubbs, Cherie Lunghi and Vincent Regan join the cast
· Preview of episode 1 to be available to Sky customers On Demand
STARLINGS, which last year found its way into Sky customers’ hearts and took pride of place on Sunday evenings on Sky 1 HD, will be returning for a second eight episode series this July. Written by and starring Matt King and Steve Edge, STARLINGS charts the ups and downs of a close-knit brood based in Matlock, Derbyshire.
This series, for the first time the Starlings family looks in danger of falling apart. While Reuben (Ukweli Roach) needs Fergie (Edge) and Loz (King) to help with a big question he’s about to ask Bell (Rebecca Night), the relationship between Jan (Lesley Sharp) and Terry (Brendan Coyle) is tested to its limit by the arrival of Stephen (Vincent Regan), the tutor of Jan’s new writing class.
Prepare to see another side to Grandad (Alan Williams) when he befriends a mischievous OAP (Una Stubbs), while romance looks to be on the cards for Gravy (John Dagleish) as he finally enters the world of work, Charlie (Finn Atkins) explores her musical side by starting a band and Fergie is reunited with an old flame (Cherie Lunghi) - who also happens to be Loz’s boss.
By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels. This commitment follows the success of home-grown content such as entertainment hits GOT TO DANCE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, dramas such as STRIKE BACK and MAD DOGS, comedies such as STELLA, HUNDERBY and A YOUNG DOCTOR’S NOTEBOOK and factual shows such as AN IDIOT ABROAD, ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD and the BAFTA-winning documentary FLYING MONSTERS 3D.
Brand new Starlings Series 2 will air on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 +1 this July. The series will also be available to Sky customers via On Demand and Sky Go. Sky Go Extra customers can also download episodes of the show to watch on their smartphone or mobile tablet, without the need for an internet connection.
Sky customers with a connected Sky+ set-top box will be able to enjoy a preview of the first episode before it is broadcast on Sky 1 through Sky’s On Demand service. The entire first series of STARLINGS is also available now through Sky On Demand and via Sky’s award-winning mobile TV service Sky Go.
Notes to editor
Claire Wilson
Senior Publicist, Sky 1 HD
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Notes to editors:
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About Baby Cow Productions:
Established in 1999 by award winning comedy creators Steve Coogan and Henry Normal, Baby Cow Productions Ltd has gained an enviable reputation for nurturing new British comedy talent, whilst teaming up with the best of the UK's established writers, directors and producers.
Baby Cow has produced award winning and highly acclaimed TV programmes for the BBC, ITV, UK digital channels, world sales, iTunes and DVD sales.
Specialising in cutting edge comedy Baby Cow are working with some of the hottest names in this field both in front and behind camera over a wide range of bold and innovative programmes for both national and international television.
Baby Cow’s productions include award winning Gavin and Stacey, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night, Mid Morning Matters, The Trip, Ideal, Chekhov: Comedy Shorts, Saxondale and Sensitive Skin resulting in an array of nominations and awards for Bafta, British Comedy, RTS, Broadcast, Televisual, NTS, Rose d’Or and the Southbank Awards.