BBC One has ordered a sitcom created, written by and starring comedian Romesh Ranganathan, coproduced by CPL Productions.
The 6 x 30′ series Avoidance centers on Jonathan (Ranganathan), who must confront his severe conflict avoidance issues when his partner Claire breaks up with him and he realises he has no home or friends and only one ambition: to try to preserve his nine-year-old son’s happiness.
The supporting cast includes Jessica Knappett, Mandeep Dhillon and Lisa McGrillis, as Jonathan and his son move in with his sister and her wife to create a loving but dysfunctional family unit.
BBC Studios will serve as international distributor for the show, under a new development and distribution agreement struck with Ranga Bee, which was cofounded by Ranganathan and executive producer and director Benjamin Green.
Ranga Bee’s Ranganathan, Green and Michelle Farr-Scott will executive produce, alongside CPL’s Danielle Lux. Arnold Widdowson is the producer and Green directs. It was ordered by commissioning editor of comedy Tanya Qureshi.
“It was not exactly a tough ask for Romesh and myself to imagine what life would be like for a useless, conflict averse, procrastinating Beta male,” stated Green. “It was trickier to work out what would happen if he was actually forced to change. We are delighted the BBC have allowed us to make a show for all those people that cannot turn an invitation down or tell a waiter they have the wrong order and especially for those poor souls that have to live with them.”