The BBC can announce the commission of Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! an adaptation of the hugely popular 2021 children’s book written by David Walliams.
This comedy drama, the sequel to the 2013 BBC One movie Gangsta Granny, features a stellar cast which includes David himself as Dad, Mike, Sheridan Smith (Four Lives, Cleaning Up) as Mum, Linda, Kevin Bishop (Inside No. 9, Porridge) as Italian dancer Flavio, Maggie Steed (Fisherman’s Friends, Paddington 2) as Queen, Griff Rhys Jones (Future TX, Griff’s Canadian Adventure) as Mr Parker and young Archie Yates (Jojo Rabbit, Home Sweet Home Alone) as grandson Ben.
Commissioned by CBBC to air on BBC One, CBBC and BBC iPlayer, we join Ben a year on as he is getting used to life without his beloved Gran. With the memory of their daring Crown Jewel heist still fresh in his mind, he is stunned to learn another spate of thefts are beginning to occur – with all the clues pointing to The Black Cat, better known to Ben as Granny!
Surprising? Yes. Impossible? Maybe. Viewers should expect the unexpected as they are once again taken on a wildly entertaining ride that sees Ben attempt to unravel the mystery of just who is The Black Cat.
David Walliams says: “It is a thrill to revisit these characters in a brand new story. I hope families are going to love this comedy adventure story. A huge thank you to the BBC for making it happen.”
Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education, says: “I can’t imagine a more perfect film for families to sit down and watch together. This adventurous tale will appeal to all generations young and old.”
Jo Sargent, Executive Producer, says: “We’re excited to be bring the next instalment of David’s Gangsta Granny to the screen with such a stellar cast on board, and to find out what Ben and friends, old and new have been up to since we last saw them.”
Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! (1 x 60’) is written by David Walliams and Kevin Cecil. It is produced by King Bert Productions with Rosemary McGowan as Producer and Nick Leadbitter as Co-Producer. Jo Sargent is Executive Producer and it is Directed by Dan Zeff. It was commissioned by Sarah Muller, Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions 6-12 and Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education. Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Melissa Hardinge.
Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! is the latest David Walliams book to be commissioned by the BBC following Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny, The Boy In The Dress, Billionaire Boy, Grandpa’s Great Escape and The Midnight Gang.
