Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes are to reunite for factual entertainment series Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage (3x60’) produced by Expectation for Gold, the nation’s favourite comedy channel.
Having famously starred together as flatmates Tony and Gary in Men Behaving Badly, in this new series Neil Morrissey will take Martin Clunes on a road trip through France, the country that has become his second home. From Normandy, through the Alps and to Neil’s home and cider apple orchard in the South, and taking in beautiful food, sweeping landscapes and fascinating local traditions, the two friends will reconnect and reminisce on a professional and personal relationship that spans thirty years.
Neil Morrissey said: “It’s fantastic we have this golden opportunity to reunite so I can introduce my pal Martin to all the things I love so much about France, along with some Gallic treasures I’ve always wanted to see. I’ve fallen in love with this country, its glorious food, its delicious wine, and knowing Martin has an EU passport, I’m fairly certain he’ll be relocating here once I’ve finished with him.”
Martin Clunes said: “I’m really looking forward to all the sights, sounds, tastes, people and experiences Neil’s lined up for me in France. Most of all I’m looking forward to spending a great deal of time with my old mate Neil, who I’ve grown to miss more than ever since he’s absconded to a country which he claims has the best scenery, food and wine on earth – is he right? I intend to find out by devouring the lot of it and seeing what I can remember afterwards.”
Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage is commissioned for UKTV by Kirsty Hanson, Senior Commissioning Editor, Factual and Factual Entertainment, with Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment Commissioning, and ordered by Adam Collings, Director of Programming, Factual and Factual Entertainment, and Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissioning. Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage is produced by Expectation, with Ben Wicks as Executive Producer, Lucy Evans as Series Producer and Harry Forte as Producer. It was developed by Amy Dallmeyer and Owen Braben and the series is directed by Leo McCrea.
Kirsty Hanson said: “Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage promises to be warm, nostalgic and a privileged birds-eye view on Neil and Martin’s genuine and witty friendship.”
Adam Collings added: “This is a wonderful way to see Neil & Martin back together again. Gold viewers will love watching the pair of them reconnect.”
Ben Wicks, Creative Director, Entertainment for Expectation, commented: “We’re elated Neil and Martin are reuniting to film a three-part buddy movie around the beautiful French countryside. Hats off to the wonderful people at Gold for backing a reunion as long overdue, and every bit as exciting as that of Noel and Liam, without resorting to dynamic pricing.”
Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage is the latest comedy commission for Gold, following Paul Whitehouse’s Sketch Show Years, Bottom: Exposed, Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out and Billy Connolly Does…. September saw the launch of scripted comedy Apocalypse Slough: A Murder, They Hope Mystery, written by Jason Cook and starring Johnny Vegas, Sian Gibson, Sarah Hadland, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jim Howick, Simon Day, Shaun Williamson, Ben Bailey Smith, Matthew Kelly and Annette Badland.
Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage will air on Gold in 2025.
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For more information, please contact:
Ben Duncan, Consumer Publicity Manager
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, Gold, Alibi and Eden - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
About Expectation
Expectation launched in February 2017 as a multi-genre, independent production company covering both scripted and non-scripted programming. Led by Peter Fincham and Tim Hincks, Expectation has built an enviable reputation for creating new comedy, drama, factual drama, factual and entertainment programming as well as breaking new and diverse talent and winning multiple awards for its shows.
Expectation’s non-scripted programming includes Clarkson’s Farm, The Grand Tour and Backstage with Katherine Ryan for Prime Video, The Big Narstie Show (with Dice Productions), The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan (with Momo G), Steph’s Packed Lunch (in partnership with Can Can Productions) and I Literally Just Told You for Channel 4, In With A Shout for ITV, Unforgivable for Dave, This is MY House for BBC One, Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance for W, Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out for Gold and Dynamo Is Dead for Sky Max.