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Sir Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi play gay couple in Vicious ITV comedy Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi play gay couple in Vicious ITV comedy
(about 3 hours later)
Sir Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi are to star in a new ITV1 comedy as a gay couple who have lived together in the same Covent Garden flat for nearly 50 years. Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi are to star in a comedy as a gay couple who have lived together in the same Covent Garden flat for nearly 50 years, ITV1 has confirmed.
Vicious features McKellen's character as Freddie, once a budding actor, while Jacobi's character Stuart was a barman when they first met. Now their lives consist of reading books, walking their dog and bickering. The sitcom, Vicious, will feature McKellen as Freddie, once a budding actor, while Jacobi will play Stuart, who was a barman when the pair first met. Now their lives consist of reading books, walking their dog and bickering.
Frances De La Tour, best known for her role as the object of Leonard Rossiter's unrequited affections in the 1970s sitcom Rising Damp, plays their best friend, Violet. Frances De La Tour, best known for her role as the object of Leonard Rossiter's unrequited affections in the 1970s sitcom Rising Damp, plays their best friend, Violet. The trio's world is upended by the arrival of a young man as their new upstairs neighbour.
The trio's world is upended by the arrival of a young man as their new upstairs neighbour. The sitcom will be written and co-produced by Gary Janetti, whose US TV comedy credits include Will & Grace and Family Guy. Vicious has been co-created by award-winning playwright Mark Ravenhill.
The sitcom will be written and co-produced by Gary Janetti, whose US TV comedy credits include Family Guy and Will & Grace. Vicious has been co-created by award-winning playwright Mark Ravenhill.
ITV's soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale have both featured gay characters, but commissioning a show with gay leads is relatively rare.ITV's soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale have both featured gay characters, but commissioning a show with gay leads is relatively rare.
In 2001 ITV1 broadcast Bob & Rose, a drama written by Russell T Davies and starring Alan Davies as a gay man who starts a relationship with Lesley Sharp.In 2001 ITV1 broadcast Bob & Rose, a drama written by Russell T Davies and starring Alan Davies as a gay man who starts a relationship with Lesley Sharp.
"'ITV is thrilled this exciting and bold sitcom, with stellar performers and writing talent is to join the increasing slate of new look comedy shows on the channel," said Myfanwy Moore, ITV comedy commissioning editor. "ITV is thrilled this exciting and bold sitcom, with stellar performers and writing talent is to join the increasing slate of new look comedy shows on the channel," said Myfanwy Moore, ITV comedy commissioning editor.
Vicious has been commissioned by Moore and Elaine Bedell, ITV director of comedy and entertainment.Vicious has been commissioned by Moore and Elaine Bedell, ITV director of comedy and entertainment.
The sitcom is being made by independent producer Brown Eyed Boy in association with Kudos Film and TV. Ed Bye will direct, with Brown Eyed Boy managing director Gary Reich co-producing and Jemma Rodgers executive producing.The sitcom is being made by independent producer Brown Eyed Boy in association with Kudos Film and TV. Ed Bye will direct, with Brown Eyed Boy managing director Gary Reich co-producing and Jemma Rodgers executive producing.
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