The nation’s favourite comedy channel, Gold, is set to take a reflective look at Absolutely Fabulous, one of Britain’s most-loved comic creations set in the glamourous world of fashion PR in the 90s, with a brand-new retrospective, Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out (1x 120’). It is produced by Expectation and will air at 9pm on 17th October on Gold.
"It was a fabulous wander down memory lane by actresses who only have the faintest grip on reality."
The star-studded retrospective will see Jennifer Saunders (Edina “Eddie” Monsoon), Dame Joanna Lumley (Patsy Stone), Julia Sawalha (Saffron “Saffy” Monsoon) and Jane Horrocks (Bubble) reunite for the first time since 2016. Viewers will be taken on an exclusive rampage down memory lane to reveal how the show was made, pay tribute to much-missed castmember Dame June Whitfield (Mother) and celebrate its ground-breaking influence on female comedy.
Jennifer opens up her Ab Fab archives to share her original handwritten notes and faxes that formed the basis for so many of the show’s most famous scenes. And she reveals the real people who inspired the timeless comic creations of Patsy and Eddie.
The Absolutely Fabulous cast and crew will be joined by a sparkling roster of celebrity guest stars and famous fans, including Ruby Wax, Tom Hollander, Emma Bunton, Meera Syal, Emerald Fennell, and Richard Curtis, to share their personal reflections on the show, alongside a host of unheard anecdotes and backstage secrets. An array of archive’s best bits will be shared with viewers: from original scripts, to high-fashion outfits, made by costume designer Rebecca Hale - as well as the various glam looks created and captured by the series hair and make-up artist, Jan Sewell, in an abundance of original polaroids - to never-before-seen pictures from the rehearsal room that will show fans how the magic of Ab Fab was made.The new retrospective is narrated by Kirsty Young.
Jennifer Saunders, creator and writer, who played Edina said, “I loved making Ab Fab but I can’t remember a great deal, so much of this retrospective is a revelation to me. Thank you Gold for this kind and helpful programme."
Dame Joanna Lumley, who played Patsy, added, “It was a fabulous wander down memory lane by actresses who only have the faintest grip on reality. Really thrilling, and I hope vastly entertaining. I loved every second."
Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out is commissioned for UKTV by Kirsty Hanson, senior commissioning editor, Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment, ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Series producer is Owen Braben. Jon Plowman and Ben Wicks are executive producers, the director is Simon Loyd, and it was developed by Amy Dallmeyer, Director of Development, Entertainment for Expectation.
Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out will air on Gold at 9pm on 17th October. As an extra treat for fans, the original episodes will air exclusively every night on Gold at 9pm weeknights in October.
For more information, please contact:
Charlotte Scott, Head of Consumer Communications, UKTV
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, Blood Actually: A Murder They Hope Mystery, 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..., Ricky and Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip and Alison and Larry: Billericay To Barry to the retrospective likes of Blackadder: The Lost Pilot, The Royle Family: Down The Back of the Sofa,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.
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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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 drama, factual drama, factual, comedy and entertainment programming as well as breaking new and diverse talent and winning multiple awards for its shows. Among these shows are 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, the forthcoming Home To Roost documenting The Osbournes’ return to the UK for BBC One and the critically acclaimed Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance for W. In scripted programming, the team have produced the multi-award-winning series: Alma’s Not Normal for BBC Two, In My Skin for BBC Three and BBC Wales, as well as dark comedy drama Guilt (with Happy Tramp) for BBC Two and BBC Scotland. They have also produced two series and a special of international hit, Intelligence for Sky Comedy and The Change, created, written by, and starring the multi award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Bridget Christie for Channel 4, along with crime drama The Chelsea Detective for Acorn TV and the forthcoming psychological thriller series Malice (a co-production with Tailspin Films) starring David Duchovny, Jack Whitehall and Carice van Houten for Prime Video. Expectation is part of the BBC Studios portfolio of minority invested indie production partners.