BBC One has announced Ralph And Katie, a spin-off to hit show The A Word.
As the name suggests, the new series will focus on the characters of Ralph (Leon Harrop) and Katie (Sarah Gordy).
The six-part series will be written by Peter Bowker (writer of The A Word) alongside new and emerging disabled writers to tell the continuing story of Ralph and Katie, an inspirational and loving young couple who are embarking on The biggest adventure of their lives.
A teaser from the BBC reads: “Ralph and Katie have just had the wedding of the year… so what happens next?
“Ralph And Katie tracks their first year of married life, with each 30 minute episode featuring a different story focusing on the domestic challenges faced by the newlyweds – challenges faced by all newlyweds, but with the added fact that they have Down’s Syndrome.”
Also on the cast are Pooky Quesnel who reprises the role of Louise, Ralph’s mum, now Katie’s mother-in-law. Other familiar faces are Nigel Betts (Ridley Road, Boy Meets Girl) and Sherry Baines (Jungle Cry) who play Katie’s parents Steve and Clare. There is also a welcome return for Matt Greenwood (Bohemian Rhapsody, Waterloo Road) who previously delighted audiences as Tom.
New and familiar faces heading to the stunning Lakeside locations and Manchester’s Space Studios include Craig Cash (The Royle Family, The Fast Show, Gogglebox) as Brian, Dylan Brady (Get Even, Coronation Street) as Dan, Jamie Marie Leary (Traces, River City) as Emma, Sam Retford (Screw, Ackley Bridge) as Gary and Daniel Cerqueira (Pennyworth, The Spanish Princess) as Dr Graves.
The writers working on the series are Amy Trigg, Annalisa Dinnella, Genevieve Barr, Tom Wentworth and Lizzie Watson.
Peter Bowker said: “Ralph And Katie is a natural step forwards from the ongoing ambition of The A Word to increase representation and diversity both on and off screen.
“Equally exciting is the opportunity to work again with two young actors as talented as Leon and Sarah. It is a tribute to their performances in The A Word that the BBC have commissioned this series.”
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, said: “After three series of The A Word, we are so excited to see Sarah and Leon lead their own show and by the team of talented writers that Pete and his team are assembling to bring this new chapter in Ralph and Katie’s relationship to life.”
Carol Boys, Chief Executive, Down’s Syndrome Association, commented: “We’re so pleased that Ralph and Katie’s story will be continuing, and that Leon and Sarah, two marvellous actors, are getting this well-deserved opportunity to play the central characters in a BBC drama.”
Ralph And Katie will run for six, 30 minute episodes on BBC One
Ralph & Katie will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
More on: BBC OneThe A Word
