Sky went all out to add even more quality to its lineup with the addition of Steve Coogan and Matt King’s (Peep Show) new comedy, Starlings, which began airing in 2012. Co-written by King and Steve Edge (Star Stories) and produced by Steve Coogan and his fellow Baby Cow Productions ringleader, Henry Normal, Starlings came together to be a mix of Peep Show humour, Shameless and The Royale Family shambles, Outnumbered anarchy and 2 Point 4 Children family fun.
Starlings began filming in August 2011 and was first broadcast on Sky 1 HD in spring 2012. It continued Sky’s new dedication to creating original British television shows, which can’t be bad when it’s final delivery incorporates the likes of Steve Coogan (Alpha Papa) and Matt King.
The show is set in a shook up family home as their granddad, played by Alan Williams, is forced to live with them after a rebellious altercation at his former old people’s home. The father of the family is played by Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey Series 4), current manservant in Downton Abbey, and along with wife Jan (Lesley Sharp of Bob and Rose fame), sixteen year old ladette daughter Charlie, lizard loving son Gravy, and pretty Bell they have to make do with their newly messed up lives.
Set in Matlock, Derbyshire, Starlings is a slice of mad-cap midlands life. Matt King will be fronting the role of Uncle Loz (inevitably) and Steve Edge will be putting in a showing as Jan’s nephew Fergie, who is dead-set on camping in the garden of the over-cramped house following a bout of homelessness.
Starlings seems to be living up to its potential, with its big name comedy might and down to earth, 2.7 family content to work with, it’s gone on to be picked up for a second series by Sky airing in July and August 2013. The comedy drama, continues to benefit from Steve Coogan’s production might, as well as Matt King and Steve Edge’s writing skills so the dark patches in the storyline ripple on.
If you’ve seen a few episodes and wondered where Starlings is filmed, having seen something familair, you’ll be recognising parts of Madlock, Derbyshire and the surrounding dales of the Peak District.
You can catch up with the two series through Sky on-demand. If you’re not a Sky 1 subscriber the DVD of the first series was released on the 9th July 2013 and the second series should follow it in the run up to Christmas 2013.
