The Café to re-open
“Gentle gem of a sitcom” The Sun
“Beautifully crafted warm comedy” TV Easy
“All of Sky’s comedies have been good but this has the most promise” The Daily Mail
Sky 1 HD today announces that THE CAFE will return for a second series. Written by Ralf Little and Michelle Terry, and directed by Craig Cash, THE CAFÉ will run as 8 x 30 series in 2013.
The series is part of Sky's commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years. By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels.
THE CAFÉ is set in and around a café in Weston-Super-Mare run by generational trilogy Mary (June Watson), Carol (Ellie Haddington) and Sarah (Michelle Terry). Acting as the social hub of the seafront town, ’Cyril’s’ sees all walks of life pass through and gives Sky1 HD viewers an honest portrayal of life in a typical British seaside resort. Sarah is in her late twenties and recently returned home from London as she attempts to pursue a writing career. Many of her old school adversaries still live in the area and are frequent visitors to the café including Richard (Ralf Little), Sarah’s former childhood sweetheart, a care home assistant by day and a musician by night whose feathers are ruffled when fellow class-mate and former love rival, John (Daniel Ings), now a successful events manager in London, returns to Weston to visit his elderly mother.
At the end of the first series, which aired in November 2011, Carol won her battle to keep ‘Cyril’s’ open thanks to the support of her regular customers. Sarah received a writing offer she can’t refuse but with her love rivals heading off in separate directions, will she still continue to enjoy the attention of Richard and John?
Co-writer, Ralf Little says: “It's been amazing, and frankly a relief, to learn that The Cafe had a warm critical reception, but none of that matters if the powers that be don't have the faith to re-commission another series. Luckily for us, Stuart Murphy and Lucy Lumsden are continually supportive and have once again put their money where their mouths are. Now we just have to write it.
Co-writer Michelle Terry added: "It was enough of a shock to get series one so to be given another chance is the most incredible opportunity. Now I just hope we don't balls it up."
Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy, Sky commented: " Enchanting and unashamedly romantic, we are delighted to be bringing back The Cafe for another series on Sky1HD".
THE CAFÉ 2 is written by Ralf Little and Michelle Terry and will air in 2013. It is a Jellylegs production for Sky 1 HD and will be directed by Craig Cash. The series was commissioned by Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy for Sky.
Notes to editor
For more information contact:
Nick Dear
Senior Publicist, Sky 1 HD & Sky Living HD
T: +44 (0)20 7032 7273, M: +44 (0)7753 811 918
nick.dear@bskyb.com