Comedian Aisling Bea has written a new six-part comedy drama for Channel 4.
The Irish star’s new but darkly funny comedy also has famed producer and actor Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) on the bill.
As well as playing the lead role of Aine, Aisling also wrote the series, teaming up with Horgan’s production company Merman.
The show Aine, a foreign language school worker who’s recovering from a “teeny little nervous breakdown”. Horgan joins the cast as Aine’s worried sister, Shona.
Here’s everything you need to know about This Way Up.
When is This Way Up on TV?
The series will premiere on Channel 4 tonight (8 August) at 10 pm.
What can we expect from the show?
The English as a foreign language school where Aine teaches brings together a room full of characters also trying to find a glimmer of hope in their lives.
Channel 4 said of the series: “Through Aine’s own experiences, and the experiences of those around her, This Way Up explores how the pursuit of happiness differs for everybody and unveils the obstacles which come between that goal and the reality of a life lived.”
What do the actors say about the show?
Bea describes the show as her ‘baby’.
She adds: “Sharon and I have been trying to make a baby for a few years now and in the last while we’ve gotten some extra help in and now finally I am pregnant with a show and can’t wait to give birth to it, put it in a pram and show it to everyone.
"This is a metaphor for making TV by the way, I am not pregnant.”
Who will be starring?
We already know that Bea and Horgan will be taking the lead roles but who else will get a shot at the limelight?
Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Halal in the Family) will appear as Shona’s boyfriend Vish, while Tobias Menzies (The Crown, Outlander) also joins the cast as Richard, father to one of Aine’s new students.
Indira Varma (Game of Thrones’ Ellaria Sand) will play Shona’s colleague and new close friend, Charlotte.
