TV Tonight: Dawn French and Mark Heap’s Hilarious New Sitcom

British comedy royalty returns to our screens tonight as Dawn French and Mark Heap join forces for the highly anticipated new sitcom, Can You Keep a Secret? Combining the warmth of The Vicar of Dibley with the surrealist edge of Friday Night Dinner, this new series is already being hailed as the must-watch comedy of the year.

The Premise: A Pensioner Version of Bonnie and Clyde

The story follows Debbie Fendon (French), a self-described "tinpot dictator" and grandmother who will go to any lengths to protect her family. When her hermit-like husband, William (Heap), is mistakenly declared dead, Debbie doesn't rush to correct the paperwork. Instead, she spots a golden opportunity to claim a £250,000 life insurance payout.

The catch? William is very much alive and hiding in the loft. The couple plans to wait out the clock until the money clears, but their "perfect" retirement plan quickly descends into chaos.

A Stellar Supporting Cast

The hilarity isn't limited to the lead duo. The Fendons' frazzled son, Harry—played by Craig Roberts (Submarine)—finds himself caught in a moral vice between his criminal parents and his wife, Neha.

In a brilliant twist of dramatic irony, Neha is played by Mandip Gill (Doctor Who), who happens to be a local police officer. The tension of keeping a "resurrected" father-in-law hidden while a cop lives under the same roof provides a relentless engine for the show’s comedy.

Creative Pedigree

Behind the scenes, the show boasts an impressive lineage. It is written and created by Simon Mayhew-Archer, the producer behind the BAFTA-winning This Country. The series also features a poignant personal touch: Heap’s character, William, lives with Parkinson’s disease—a diagnosis inspired by Simon’s father, Paul Mayhew-Archer, who served as a script advisor to ensure the condition is portrayed with both accuracy and humor.

Why You Should Watch

• The Dream Team: French and Heap’s chemistry is a masterclass in comedic timing.

• High Stakes: It’s rare for a sitcom to carry the genuine tension of a heist thriller.

• West Country Charm: Filmed and set in Somerset, the show captures a beautiful, slightly eccentric side of British life.

Can You Keep a Secret? airs tonight at 9:30 PM on BBC One. If you can't wait for the weekly broadcast, the entire six-part series is available to stream as a boxset on BBC iPlayer.

Source - https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jan/07/tv-tonight-dawn-french-and-mark-heaps-hilarious-new-sitcom

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