BBC Scotland has commissioned four new short-form comedy series as part of its ongoing push into digital-first scripted content, expanding a slate that already includes titles such as Float, Dog Days and the Short Stuff strand. Three of the new shows are from Banijay’s The Comedy Unit while the fourth comes from North Bridge Media.
The new projects are designed to be accessible and shareable across platforms, aligning with audience viewing habits and the broadcaster’s wider digital strategy. The move also follows the BBC’s recently announced partnership with YouTube, aimed at increasing reach among younger and more diverse audiences.
Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland’s head of commissioning, said: “These projects reflect our ambition to create bold, original Scottish content that works brilliantly on BBC iPlayer and beyond. They speak directly to how audiences are watching today.”
Gavin Smith, commissioning editor for scripted, added: “We have been working for many years in the scripted digital-first short form space and our strategy has produced award-winning content. We’re delighted to have brought Deb Charles into the team as assistant commissioner… and we look forward to having further content announcements in the coming months.”
The new commissions are:
Marc Jennings’ Genuine Question – Why Vote? (6×10’) follows the comedian and podcast host as he explores Scottish politics ahead of the Holyrood election “from the perspective of the ‘everyman’,” meeting contributors from across the political spectrum and drawing on analysis from Professor Sir John Curtice. The show is produced by The Comedy Unit (a Banijay UK company) for BBC Scotland.
The Chief Grills… (6×10’) stars Jack Docherty as “Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson – better known as The Chief,” who interviews high-profile guests “under police interview conditions, and ‘for the benefit of the tape’,” in conversations about “life, legacy and the law,” blending character comedy with celebrity interrogation. Produced by The Comedy Unit (a Banijay company) for BBC Scotland.
MyAmi Nails (1×10’) is “a polished, fast-moving, gag-packed, short form comedy celebrating community, colour and the chaotic beauty of starting over,” following a mechanic who inherits a nail bar and faces “a steep learning curve” in a very different trade. Produced by The Comedy Unit (a Banijay company) for BBC Scotland.
Reality Bunker (10×2’) is “a parody of reality TV… a multiverse of reality shows crashed into one,” set in a post-apocalyptic bunker with “confessions to camera, ridiculous tasks, betrayals, romances and evictions” across a mash-up of formats. Produced by North Bridge Media for BBC Scotland (pictured).
All four series will premiere across BBC Scotland’s YouTube channel, iPlayer and social platforms on a rolling basis through 2026.
