‘Detectorists’ BBC Four Comedy: Cast Begin Filming New Mackenzie Crook Series

Andy (MACKENZIE CROOK) - Image Credit: BBC/Lola Entertainment/Channel X

Andy (MACKENZIE CROOK) – Image Credit: BBC/Lola Entertainment/Channel X

Filming has now begun on BBC Four’s upcoming TV comedy ‘Detectorists’, which has been written and directed by the British actor Mackenzie Crook.

In addition to writing and directing this brand new sitcom, the ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’, ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Office’ star will also play the role of Andy in the BBC4 show. Joining Crook on the Detectorists cast list will be the ‘Finding Neverland’ and ‘Harry Potter’ actor Toby Jones, who plays Lance.

Joining Crook and Jones onscreen will be Rachel Stirling (The Bletchley Circle, Tipping The Velvet), Lucy Benjamin (EastEnders, Casualty) and Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Luther, Being Human).

Detectorists will be using filming locations in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, with shooting scheduled to take place throughout June and July. Produced by Channel X and Lola Entertainment, the six-episode series currently has its air date set for sometime in late 2014.

The comedy’s plot follows the relationship between Andy and Lance, two friends with a shared passion for metal detecting. Despite their gripes and often behaving like an old married couple, deep down the pair possess a genuine bond. Joined by a group of their eccentric Danbury Metal Detecting Club friends, the group dream of finding that priceless Saxon hoard.

Himself an occasional detectorist, Mackenzie Crook told the BBC: “This is my first time directing but, though it’s sometimes nerve wracking, I’m confident that I have an incredible team to rely on. I have managed to gather my ideal cast. Toby, Rachel, Aimee-Ffion and Lucy are all actors I’ve worked with before and I know I’m in safe hands. For years British television has been screaming out for an archaeology based sit-com… hasn’t it?”