David Tennant and Michael Sheen to star in new BBC comedy based on West End lockdown

David Tennant and Michael Sheen will star in a new comedy based on the West End lockdown.

New six-part series Staged will follow the cast of a play who find themselves furloughed when their upcoming West End production is suddenly brought to a halt.

Staged will start at 10.45PM on Wednesday 10 June on BBC One and will be available as a box set on BBC iPlayer after transmission.

The show has been filmed in lockdown while adhering to government guidelines.

The BBC teased of the new series: “The series follows the cast as they try their best to keep the rehearsals on track in lockdown.

“Absurd and humorous in equal measure, Staged takes on the challenges of creating a drama in lockdown, on stage and off.”

Alongside David Tennant and Michael Sheen, the cast will feature Simon Evans, Georgia Tennant, Lucy Eaton and Anna Lundberg.

They will be joined by a selection of guest stars across the 15-minute episodes including Nina Sosanya, with more to be confirmed in due course.

Michael Sheen said of the show: “It’s about two young, plucky, upcoming actors David and Michael. We play ourselves – David Tennant and myself – we’re the best casting for it. The premise is that we were going to be doing a play together.

“Then lockdown happened and the director of the play, Simon, who also plays himself, wants to try and keep things going whilst we’re in lockdown and puts forward the idea that we can rehearse using video calls.

“Then when lockdown finishes we’ll be ready to go into a theatre before anyone else. That idea goes down better with David than it does with me. The rest of the episodes are about how that plays itself out.”

Charlotte Moore, Director BBC Content said: “It’s vital that the BBC provides moments of light relief and this mischievous idea shows what great sports Michael and David are in sending themselves up.”

Staged will air on TV from June 10 at 10:45PM on BBC One and will be available to watch online via BBC iPlayer after.