Jennifer Saunders joins Michael Sheen as team captain for second series of Sky original, There’s Something About Movies

Jennifer Saunders will put her film knowledge to the ultimate test as she takes on the role of team captain in the second series of Sky original panel show, There’s Something About Movies. She’ll join fellow team captain Michael Sheen and host Alan Carr while comedian and friend of the show Tom Allen will be a regular member of Jennifer’s team.

The new series, produced by CPL Productions - the creators of BAFTA-winning Sky original A League of Their Own - is filming throughout September and will air on Sky One and NOW TV this autum.

With guests last series including Rafe Spall, Lily Collins, Rupert Everett, Jason Isaacs and Miranda Richardson to name but a few, the new series sees more of Hollywood’s biggest names put to the test on the industry that created them.

Jennifer Saunders commented: “Having been a guest on the show last series I feel sure that I am the perfect person to go up against Michael Sheen as a team captain in There’s Something About Movies.  With my huge knowledge of films and laser sharp brain I’m up for any challenge they can throw at me and my team of famous faces. Bring it on!"

Michael Sheen, said: “I am of course a huge fan of Jennifer and we had such a great time with her as a guest on the first season. Absolutely thrilled that she will now be my rival team captain. Really looking forward to it.”

Alan Carr, added: “Beyond thrilled to have Jennifer Saunders joining the ‘There’s Something About Movies’ team. Not only is she comedy royalty but her iconic French and Saunders film parodies make her the perfect team captain when it comes to the movies and taking the mick out of them.”

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Sky’s Head of Entertainment , said: “Jennifer Saunders is an actual national treasure. Her film spoofs are about  as funny as it’s possible to get. Having her as a team captain on There’s Something About Movies is like all our Oscars have come at once.”

There’s Something About Movies is produced by CPL Productions for Sky. The second series was commissioned by Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK and Ireland and Phil Edgar-Jones, Head of Sky Entertainment. The commissioning editor for Sky is Barbara Lee and the executive producers for CPL are David Taylor, Murray Boland and Danielle Lux.

There’s Something About Movies adds to Sky’s strong slate of original entertainment shows on Sky One, attracting some of the biggest names in the industry alongside the incredibly popular Alan Carr.

It is the latest in a string of recent commissions as Sky continues to more than double its investment in original content, including the creation of Sky Studios. Forthcoming Sky originals include Catherine The Great starring Helen Mirren; Code 404 with Stephen Graham and Daniel Mays; Brassic with Michelle Keegan and Joe Gilgun; and Hit Men, Mel and Sue’s first scripted comedy series.

2019 has been a record year for Sky originals with 19-time Emmy-nominated Chernobyl becoming the most watched original ever with over 4 million viewers of the season finale. And away from the screen, Sky secured a record BAFTA haul with seven awards, including A League Of Their Own winning Comedy Entertainment Programme.

For more information please contact:

Katy Sykes (katy.sykes@premiercomms.com  / 07718 236 827)

Callum Clark (callum.clark@premiercomms.com / 07523 464 055)

Notes to editors

About Sky

With 24 million customers across seven countries, Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Our 31,000 employees help connect our customers with the very best of Sports, News, the arts and to our own local, original content. Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, Patrick Melrose, Das Boot and Gomorrah we launched Sky Studios and now plan to more than double our investment in original drama and comedy over the next five years.

Our technology allows customers to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, and as we connect millions of families to content they love, it is our responsibility to do it safely – that’s why we offer services like Sky Broadband Buddy and the Sky Kids app. And our online streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.

We also believe that a company of our scale has a responsibility that goes beyond our business, and into the community. Our Sky Ocean Rescue campaign has reached millions across Europe, we’re on track to be free of single-use plastic by 2020, we’re investing £25million over five years in ocean-saving tech and we’re a proud employer – recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our approach to inclusivity.

About NOW TV

NOW TV is a pick and mix TV streaming service that lets you choose from a range of passes contract free. Available anytime, anywhere in the UK, you can watch through a NOW TV Box or NOW TV Smart Stick, or on the web. The NOW TV app is also available on over 60 devices.

Whether you’re into big dramas, blockbuster movies, live sports or even just some extra TV for the kids, NOW TV offers four passes which include the latest and best TV and movies: Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Kids and Sky Sports. This includes Sky Atlantic, over 300 Box Sets on demand, all 10 Sky Sports channels and over 1,000 movies – all available with no contract.

For more information:

• Visit nowtv.com
• Follow us at facebook.com/NOWTV
• Join the conversation on twitter @NOWTV
• Visit us at Youtube.com/nowtvofficial

About CPL Productions:

CPL Productions, a Red Arrow Studios company, and Edinburgh TV Festival’s Production Company of the year is one of the most successful independent TV and radio production companies in the UK. An impressive roster of hit shows includes Sky One’s double BAFTA-winning series A League Of Their Own, the second series of Sky One comedy The Reluctant Landlord written by and starring Romesh Ranganathan, There’s Something About Movies for Sky 1, Channel 4’s multi-award winning Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes (C4), Married At First Sight (C4) and the return of Harry Hill to our screens in NIT Television’s Alien Fun Capsule for ITV1.

Additional programmes include, Sky One’s A League of Their Own US and European Road Trips, Rob and Romesh Vs,  ITV’s popular drama Brief Encounters and NIT TV's comedy sketch show for BBC Three, Ellie & Natasia.