Simultaneous full series drop on ITVX
“a level of expertise that clearly shows… tear-jerking and heart-warming.” – The Times
“pacey feel of an American sitcom…the plot is more ambitious than you might expect for ITV2…Bugeja was big on structure, Stirling wanted to get as many jokes in as possible. Judging by the first episode they have reached a successful compromise” – The Evening Standard
“zippy, gag-dense” – The Guardian
It was announced today, 18th January, that the 6-part sitcom Buffering, created, written by and starring BAFTA-winning comedian Iain Stirling (Love Island, CelebAbility, Taskmaster), with co-creator and writer BBC New Comedy Award winning Steve Bugeja (The Russell Howard Hour, CelebAbility, Economics with Subtitles), returns to ITV2 for a second series at 10.05pm on Monday 30th January, with a simultaneous full series drop on ITVX.
Buffering follows the lives of kids’ TV presenter Iain (Iain Stirling) and his housemates: Ashley (Rosa Robson – Black Mountain Poets, Inside No. 9, Heavy Entertainment), Rosie (Jessie Cave – Harry Potter, Trollied, Black Mirror), Greg (Paul G Raymond – Plebs, Avenue 5, Starstruck), and Thalia (Janine Harouni – Stand Up with Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated), The Batman, Modern Horror Stories) as they attempt to navigate the choppy waters of their late twenties, with every wrong decision, failed relationship and wasted hungover day intensifying the feeling that time is running out for them to get their ‘adult’ lives in order.
Over the course of this new series, we’ll follow Iain and his housemates as they try to figure out how to be better at life. Whether it’s throwing house parties, job hunting, dating, visiting the countryside, putting on pub quizzes or just figuring out their true feelings for each other, the gang will always have each other when, inevitably, things don’t go as planned. Helping them along the way is Iain’s on-off (mostly off) girlfriend Olivia (Elena Saurel – The Batman, Industry, Breeders) and his overly detail-driven (aka irritating) colleague Finn (Steve Bugeja).
Special guest stars Laura Whitmore (2:22 A Ghost Story, Laura Whitmore Investigates, Love Island), Emily Atack (The Emily Atack Show, The Inbetweeners, Dad’s Army), David Carlyle (It’s a Sin, Bodyguard, Lip Service), Tony Way (After Life, Giri/Haji, Game of Thrones), Melvin Odoom (BBC R1’s Live Lounge, Celebrity Cooking School, Xtra Factor), Tyne-Lexy Clarson (The Last Heist, Little Women The Broadway Musical, Love Island), Sophie Duker (Taskmaster, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, Live at The Apollo) and Gordon Kane (Hamlet, Coronation Street,
In The Long Run) will feature.
Buffering has been commissioned by Paul Mortimer, ITV’s Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions and Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo. Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Scripted Comedy, is overseeing production of this series from the broadcaster’s perspective. The series is co-written by Christine Robertson, Sally O’Leary, Janine Harouni, and Jessie Cave. Sam Michell (Stewart Lee: Snowflake/Tornado, Mrs Brown’s Boys) is producer, while Sophie King (Disability Benefits, Swan) directs. Produced by Avalon and Executive Produced by Richard Allen-Turner and Jon Thoday.