Katherine Parkinson to lead cast of BBC One ’70s comedy ‘The Kennedys’

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The cast has been announced for BBC One’s new “aspirational family comedy”, The Kennedys.

Created and written by actress, writer and TV presenter Emma Kennedy, the six-part multi-generation comedy started filming today.

The cast includes Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd), Dan Skinner (House of Fools), Lucy Hutchison (The Politician’s Husband), Harry Peacock (Toast of London) and Emma Pierson (Up The Women).

Set in the 1970s, The Kennedys is based on Kennedy’s memoirs ‘The Tent, The Bucket and Me’, with Lucy Hutchison playing Emma – a 10-year-old Star Wars obsessed tom-boy – alongside Katherine Parkinson and Dan Skinner as her parents, Brenda and Tony Kennedy. Shola Adewusi and Clive Rowe will also appear as the Kennedys’ neighbours, Dee and David.

The official synopsis reads: “The Kennedy family have just moved into a new estate in Stevenage, New Town and arrive to a concrete maze of identical houses. Delighted and enthused at the fact they are now on the cusp of being considered middle class, they quickly embrace community spirit and organise activities for the whole neighbourhood to get involved in. In each episode, The Kennedys pursue every opportunity they can to climb the social ladder from organising an Opportunity Knocks style talent show to hosting the estate’s first ever dinner party.

Writer Emma Kennedy commented: “I grew up on a council estate when they were places of aspirational wonder. Social housing was simply the greatest start in life a young family could have, and in The Kennedys I hope I have delivered a series that reflects that hope and joy. It’s been a sharp thrill from start to finish.”

Myfanwy Moore, Controller of UK Comedy Production at BBC added: “The series is a joyful and nostalgic reflection on growing up in a time of innocence and double denim. Warm family life is punctuated by anarchic fun and silliness, as portrayed by a wonderfully funny cast.”

The Kennedys will air on BBC One later in 2015.

Are you looking forward to The Kennedys? Let us know below…