More About "The Abbey"

The Abbey is a Baby Cow production starring Morwenna Banks alongside stand-up comedian and TV presenter Russell Brand, award-winning stand-up comedian and actor Omid Djalili, Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen, The Producers, Catterick), Liz Smith (The Royle Family), Miranda Hart (nominated for a British Comedy Award for Hyperdrive) and model/actress Tamsin Egerton (Driving Lessons).

The Abbey, clearly inspired by real-life retox centre The Priory, is a sanctuary for the notorious, the dysfunctional and the publicly shamed. Opened by shambolic ex-rock star Marianne Hope (Banks) following a very public nervous breakdown, this rambling country retreat offers new age therapy to the tired and emotional. Slimy manager Tony (Djalili) runs The Abbey while Marianne is busy cleansing her chakras.

Terry (Brand) is a 'Superstar DJ' who can't see why his crack addiction causes such a fuss. Pensioner Elsie (Smith) is a sex addict with a penchant for perversion. Tiffany (Egerton) is a model who would prefer to throw up the one cashew nut she allows herself per day than digest it. And Helen (Hart) is the suicidal, yet absolutely lovely, wife of a disgraced MP. They all turn to Marianne and Dr Darren (Shearsmith), the one medical professional stupid enough to take the job, for salvation in the cruel world of stardom. But Tony is all too aware that, in order to keep The Abbey open, a little press coverage wouldn't go amiss...

The Abbey also stars Doreen Keogh (Cold Feet), Rasmus Hardiker (Saxondale) and singer Marti Pellow as a wasted ex-grunge star.

Paul Jackson, Director of Entertainment and Comedy, said: "Baby Cow has an excellent reputation for edgy, critically acclaimed and seriously funny comedy and we are delighted they are now working with us to produce such a show for ITV. A great script has persuaded a strong, diverse and interesting cast to join us. We very much look forward to seeing The Abbey in our schedule". Henry Normal, co-founder of Baby Cow, added: "In this age of celebrity hungry media The Abbey is the perfect comic antidote to the glamorising of fame. These are the pictures Hello and OK! don't get".

The Abbey is directed by Jonny Campbell (Phoenix Nights, Alien Autopsy and Shameless) and produced by Alison MacPhail, whose credits include Nighty Night, The Mighty Boosh and Human Remains and features music by Stephen Jones of Babybird.

Following the successful reception to the pilot, ITV1 ordered a full series from Baby Cow. However latest rumours suggest there is problems getting the cast together again so the programme may be scrapped.

A Short Interview with Morwenna Banks

What inspired you to write The Abbey?

It was something I've wanted to write for a long time. I think that rehab is a very necessary thing for many many people. And I think that there are clearly some brilliantly run places that have a very positive effect on people. But I was fascinated by the places that don't run along such orthodox lines and can sometimes be counter-productive for people seeking help. I wanted to write about an establishment that has been set up by someone who has all the right intentions, but all the wrong methods.

Can you describe Marianne and The Abbey in your own words?

Marianne has been to hell and back. She thinks that she is a completely reconstructed character but her own rehab hasn't even scratched the surface of her problems. She wants to help people but is the last person on earth who should be giving out advice. She is the toddler in charge of the Nursery; at any moment she may have a massive tantrum. The Abbey itself is a beautiful old country house that could do with a bit of its own rehab. She and Tony don't really have the money to do it up completely and so parts of it, like Marianne, are crumbling. It's run along very unclear lines with no proper medical or psychotheraputic guidance. It's more about candles, chants and massages. Marianne runs many of the therapy sessions: music therapy, sports therapy, make-up therapy. You only have to be in one of her classes for two minutes to know that's it's always all about her.

Where did you get the inspiration from for Marianne?

I'm fascinated by celebrity culture and music and in the intersection of the two. She's really an amalgamation of all the best female rockers of the past thirty years.

What can we expect from a series? Can you give away any plans for the characters?

Lots of plans for a series. It's inevitable that everyone will fall in love with person they shouldn't fall in love with and detest the person who can help them. I think over-all it will be a series of dramatic misunderstandings, intense therapy sessions, big hair, inappropriate clothes and the odd prat-fall. And obviously every episode will have to feature Omid Djalili in his bathing trunks.