dpEXCLUSIVE: Bel Powley and Rob Delaney are leading a BBC podcast series about a recovering addict and pop star exec produced by Sharon Horgan.
The Harry Potter and Catastrophe stars will topline Sober Companion, following recovering addict Tim (Delaney), who is tasked with escorting pop star Lucy Green (Powley) on a journey to rehab in Arizona. What begins as a straightforward trip to rehab quickly spirals into a journey packed with mishaps, revelations and unexpected connections, forcing both Lucy and Tim to confront the messy realities of fame, family and recovery.
Horgan reunites with her Catastrophe co-creator and star Delaney, with whom she found global acclaim with the hit Channel 4 series, which sold to Prime Video in the U.S. The Good Place star Jameela Jamil will guest star as Lucy’s manager Sabrina alongside Greg James as himself, and Amber Grappy and Chris Hall. The series is written by Sarah Simmonds (Killing Eve) and directed by Destiny Ekaragha (1984).
Sober Companion launches on BBC Sounds next month, joining a raft of splashy audio dramas including Richard Curtis’ Greatest Living Writer starring Bill Nighy. It is a personal story for Delaney, who has been open about his struggles with alcoholism in his twenties.
“What drew me to Sober Companion was the relationship at its heart,” said Delaney. “Tim and Lucy arrive in each other’s lives at a moment when both of them are struggling, and neither is particularly happy about the arrangement. It’s funny, chaotic, moving and often surprising in the way it explores recovery, connection and second chances. I loved getting to play Tim and going on this journey with Bel and the rest of the cast.”
Powley, who can soon be seen playing Aunt Petunia in HBO Max’s Harry Potter, added: “Lucy is such a fascinating character because she’s trying so hard to convince everyone, including herself, that she’s got everything under control. Underneath the celebrity and the tabloid headlines is someone who’s vulnerable, funny and desperately trying to hold her life together. I was immediately drawn to her story, and it was a joy to bring her to life alongside Rob and this fantastic cast.”
Dylan Haskins commissioned Sober Companion. Alongside Horgan, Faye Dorn and Pippa Brown are EPs, while producer is Emma Morgan. Horgan’s Youth series has just launched on HBO Max.
Merman is producing Sober Companion.
