(L-R) Sanjeev Bhaskar, Gemma Jones, Jim Howick, Ben Bailey Smith, Simon Day, Johnny Vegas, Sian Gibson, Shaun Williamson, Sarah Hadland, Annette Badland, Matthew Kelly and Charlie Hardwick

Apocalypse Slough: A Murder, They Hope Mystery

22nd July 2024

Sanjeev Bhaskar, Shaun Williamson and Annette Badland, amongst other guest stars, join Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson for new Murder, They Hope special

Apocalypse Slough will air on Gold this Autumn and follows the success of Christmas special, Blood Actually.

Sanjeev Bhaskar (Goodness Gracious Me, Sandylands), Shaun Williamson (Extras), Annette Badland (Ted Lasso), Simon Day (The Fast Show), Jim Howick (Ghosts), Ben Bailey Smith (David Brent: Life On The Road), Jason Lewis (Murder in Successville), Matthew Kelly (Benidorm), Charlie Hardwick (Emmerdale), Gemma Jones (Harry Potter), Harry Peacock (Toast of London) and newcomer Dane Williams join the cast of Gold's Murder They Hope comedy special Apocalypse Slough (1x120").

Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson return as Terry and Gemma Bremmer alongside Sarah Hadland as Gemma’s wannabe influencer sister, Monica. The Bremmers were last seen in the Christmas special Blood Actually, which launched to 863K* viewers in December and starred Jane Horrocks, Martin Kemp, Robert Webb, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Sherrie Hewson.

Writer, creator, and executive producer, Jason Cook, said: “It’s so good to be back with Gemma and Terry, and this time Monica’s tagging along to increase the chaos! What an amazing cast we managed to get for this one, with some really fantastic performances. I can’t wait for everyone to see.”

Apocalypse Slough sees Gemma achieve her dreams of becoming an official, ball busting, kick ass investigator at the Serious Crimes Agency (SCA), whilst Terry is denied the dream thanks to his colourful criminal history. With this new strain on their relationship, they're thrown in headfirst to crack a curious double murder at a local rugby club - whose members seem to have dark and disturbing secrets of their own. As Gemma leads them closer into the complex case, questions begin to arise about their partnership and the mysteries they uncover. If Gemma doesn't pick up the pace, it could be game over for everyone; her and Terry included!

"a guarantee of laughter and a murderously good time!"

The standalone special has been commissioned for UKTV by Sarah Asante, commissioning editor for scripted comedy and ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning.

Sarah Asante said: “Following the success of Blood Actually, I am thrilled to bring back Sian, Johnny, and Sarah for yet another uproarious one-off instalment alongside the additional fresh and exceptional ensemble cast. Brace yourself, as Apocalypse Slough is set to take us on another intriguing romp, full of laughs and surprises delivered by Jason Cook and the Tiger Aspect team.”

Gerald Casey added:“I'm incredibly overwhelmed by the positive response viewers have shown for Blood Actually, allowing us to continue to deliver more killer comedy with an outstanding line-up of talent. I can promise that this one-off special will bring a guarantee of laughter and a murderously good time!"

Apocalypse Slough will air on Gold this September. Catch up on the previous series of Murder, They Hope on Sky, Virgin and NOW.

For more information, please contact:

Shannon Bulmer, Publicist, UKTV

Jasmine Brewer, Publicist, UKTV

Notes for Editors:

*Total consumption figure. Total consumption includes Ind 4+, all homes, 28-day TV & online, including pre-broadcast, and all same week repeats.

About Gold

Dedicated to celebrating the best of British comedy, Gold is the nation's favourite comedy channel. Classic British comedy series loved by all the family sit comfortably alongside new UKTV Original scripted comedies crafted by some of the nation's finest comedic minds, such as Dad's Army: The Lost Episodes, Murder, They Hope, The Cockfields and Sandylands. Meanwhile Gold's unscripted series reunite the stars and partnerships of the nation's best-loved shows to get to the heart of what makes them so evergreen - from passion projects such as French & Saunders: Funny Women, Billy Connolly Does..., Lenny Henry's Race Through Comedy and Ricky and Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip to the retrospective likes of dinnerladies diaries and The Fast Show: Just A Load of Blooming Catchphrases.

Gold is the perfect tonic to make you laugh whatever the time of day.
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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 and Freesat; 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.

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