Channel 4 Commissions Big Age Comedy Pilot

Acclaimed writer Bolu Babalola (Love in Colour) is penning a new comedy pilot for Channel 4 that will air as part of the broadcaster’s Black to Front day on September 10.

The 30-minute Big Age, produced by Tiger Aspect, follows a group of four twentysomething Black-British friends. It will air as part of the Black to Front initiative this September, delivering one complete day of television fronted by Black talent and featuring Black contributors.

The Big Age cast includes Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo as Ṣadé, Racheal Ofori as Dela, Michael Workeye as Zeke and CJ Beckford as Tayo.

“It is quite literally a dream come true to have the opportunity to bring Big Age to life with Channel 4,” said Babalola. “It’s been a great joy to develop these characters and this world over the years, and I am so thrilled that a place that has housed so many of my favorite shows has chosen to help me share it. Ṣadé is a young woman with big dreams and a big heart, and Big Age is a celebration of friendship, ambition with heart and the connections that propel us forward in newly formulating adulthood.”

Fiona McDermott, head of comedy at Channel 4, said, “When we first read this script, Ṣadé and Dela just bounced off the page. Funny, contemporary and surprising characters that have a deliciously moreish, comic energy. We knew we needed to see them come to life. We’re so pleased to be working with Bolu on this, her first scripted project, and beyond thrilled that she and Big Age are part of our Black to Front commitment.”

David Simpson, head of comedy for Tiger Aspect, added “We’re delighted to be making this pilot for Channel 4. Bolu’s writing is funny, nuanced and wonderfully well-observed, and she has created a set of characters and a friendship at the heart of this that audiences are going to adore. It is also fantastic to be part of Channel 4’s Black to Front event championing Black talent on and off screen. It is so important for broadcasters to make these kinds of meaningful commitments and it has been wonderful to see a cast and crew come together at the heart of this production that are absolutely sensational.”