Harsh Vardhan
The filming of Channel 4’s upcoming sitcom ‘Disability Benefits’ will start in Manchester, England, this October. Rosie Jones and Peter Fellows wrote the show based on a short film they penned, which was aired by the same network. Jones will also star as Emily, the protagonist.
The plot revolves around a young woman named Emily, who, facing severe cuts to her state benefits and redundancy, decides to create an illegal drug empire. She stands out from typical drug dealers due to her sharp intellect, humor, education, and cerebral palsy. Her life has been marked by underestimation and neglect, with people either belittling her achievements or overlooking her presence entirely. This dismissive attitude towards her serves as an ideal disguise for her illicit activities.
The original short film, directed by Sophie King, was written by Jones, Fellows, and Tom Thostrup. The cast included Will Brown, Angela Griffin, Lynn Hunter, and Jones.
As an actress, Jones recently appeared in popular shows such as ‘Horrible Histories’ and ‘Call the Midwife.’ She is also set to feature in the upcoming game show ‘Screenshot,’ which aims to discover the next generation of comedy writer-performers for television. As far as her writing career is concerned, Jones crafted several episodes of ‘Trip Hazard,’ in which she takes a celebrity guest on a journey to explore the sights, culture, history, and local traditions across various regions of the United Kingdom. Her writing credits also extend to ‘Sky Comedy Shorts’ and the acclaimed series ‘Sex Education.’
Jones commented on the opportunity, saying, “I am incredibly excited to be making Disability Benefits for Channel 4. It has always been my dream to have my own sitcom, and now it is coming true! Bring it on!”
Fellows most recently wrote several episodes of ‘Pirates: Behind the Legends’ and contributed to the documentary ‘Conquistadors: The Rise and Fall,’ which exposes the harsh realities of Europe’s dramatic expansion following Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean region in 1492. Additionally, he was part of the writers’ room of projects such as ‘Vikings: The Rise and Fall’ and ‘Fantastic Friends.’
Manchester recently hosted the filming of the modern remake of the classic ‘The Full Monty.’ The city also served as the filming location for the TV show ‘Snatch,’ which is based on Guy Ritchie’s film of the same name.
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