Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi co-star in sitcom

By
( )
published
Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi co-star in sitcom
Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi co-star in sitcom (Image credit: PA Archive/PA Photos)

Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi have teamed up for a new sitcom. The two veteran theatrical knights, joined by Rising Damp star Frances De La Tour, will play a bickering gay couple in ITV1's Vicious next year. The show, created by Will And Grace writer Gary Janetti and award-winning playwright Mark Ravenhill, is the story of Freddie, an ageing actor played by Sir Ian, and Stuart, played by Sir Derek, who have lived together in a cramped Covent Garden flat for almost 50 years. Frances plays their best friend Violet who has to try to make the peace between them when their lives are turned upside-down by the arrival of a young man, Ash, who moves in upstairs. Gary, who has also written for the award-winning cartoon Family Guy, said: "I'm incredibly excited to be working with ITV and this unbelievable cast." ITV's comedy commissioning editor Myfanwy Moore said: "ITV is thrilled this exciting and bold sitcom, with stellar performers and writing talent, is to join the increasing slate of new-look comedy shows on the channel."

Patrick McLennan
Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.