Next weeke sees the launch of new BBC Three comedy Murder in Successville, and TVO is understandably rather excited to find out what you make of it.

The show, which begins on Wednesday 6th May at 10pm, features Tom Davis (Cockroaches, The Morgana Show, House of Fools) as DI Sleet – a hardened, grizzly detective forced to solve crimes in the run-down ghetto of Successville, which just so happens to be populated by celebrities as you’ve never seen them before.

The rest of Successville’s inhabitants, you see, are ‘loosely’ portrayed by comedians including TVO regulars Colin Hoult (Jimmy Carr, Gary Barlow), Tony Way (Harry Styles), Cariad Lloyd (Darcy Bussell).  Also along for the ride are Harry Peacock (Toast of London), Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones), Frances Barber (Psychoville), Jason Lewis (Bellamy’s People) and up & coming impressionist Luke Kempner.

Each week, Sleet is also joined by a celebrity guest: Jamie Laing, Greg James, Deborah Meaden, Dermot O’Leary, Kimberly Wyatt and Louis Smith all take a turn at solving crimes throughout the run.

The result is a delightful mash-up that’s part Star Stories style showbiz sitcom, part Cludeo game show. Striding right through the middle of it is DI Sleet himself, with Tom Davis absolutely revelling in making his guest detectives feel uncomfortable, even before they meet the madcap locals.

The format is off-beat, and it may take a while before it feels quite right, but if you go with the flow there are laughs a-plenty to be found inside, not least of which is Colin Hoult’s chilling impersonation of Jimmy Carr. You’ll never look at either man the same way ever again.

Factor in some delightful scoring from another TVO regular, Waen Shepherd, and you’ve got next week’s must see show in a nut-shell. While we wait impatiently to see what you make of it, we’ve got a collection of stills to share with you below, including some exclusive shots of Colin Hoult and Cariad Lloyd for good measure.

 

Murder in Successville airs from Wednesday 6th May at 10pm on BBC Three.