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Filming has begun on the brand new comedy sitcom, Miranda, due for transmission in Autumn 2009 on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two.

Miranda is based on the semi-autobiographical writing of comedy actress Miranda Hart (Not Going Out, Hyperdrive, Absolutely Fabulous). The show started its life as a TV pilot and then moved onto becoming the critically acclaimed, Sony Award nominated radio series, Miranda Hart's Joke Shop, on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2.

Patricia Hodge (Maxwell; Betrayal; The Life And Loves Of A She-Devil) returns to our TV screens playing Miranda's mother and is joined by a stellar cast, including Sarah Hadland (Moving Wallpaper; That Mitchell & Webb Look), Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones' Diary; Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason; Smack The Pony) and Tom Ellis (Miss Conception; EastEnders) in this farcical, eccentric and affectionate family sitcom.

Miranda is desperate to fit in, but her public school background makes her a bit of a misfit down the pub and she's never quite fitted in with Sloane Ranger childhood rival Tilly (Sally Phillips) or the rest of 'the girls' (not least because she's a foot taller than them all).

Due to years of agoraphobic tendencies she can't quite grasp how to behave socially and constantly fails to avoid embarrassing situations, especially around men.

A constant disappointment to her mother Penny (Patricia Hodge), and lacking any real capacity or interest for business, Miranda employs her childhood friend Stevie (Sarah Hadland) to manage her joke shop.

It doesn't matter what Miranda attempts in life – dating, joining the gym, job interviews or simply dealing with her overbearing mother – she always seems to fall flat, quite literally, and is incapable of leaving a room without knocking something over.

Miranda comments: "Since I can remember I have wanted to be a comedian and so to have my own show on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is a total thrill, albeit slightly unnerving! To have actors like Patricia Hodge and Sally Philips interested in my writing, let alone agreeing to do the job, is a real honour.

"Comedy is such an important part of my life, if I hadn't had people like French and Saunders, Morecambe and Wise and Joyce Grenfell to watch, my life would have been a much duller place and so to be a part of this wonderful industry is a real blessing – I can't believe my luck."

Guest stars include Peter Davison as Miranda's old French teacher, Adrian Scarborough (Gavin And Stacey), Luke Pasquilino (Skins), Alex Macqueen (The Thick Of It) and Katy Wix (Not Going Out).

The 6 x 30-minutes series was commissioned by Lucy Lumsden, Controller of Comedy Commissioning, and Janice Hadlow, Controller of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two.

The producer is Nerys Evans and the director is Juliet May.

The executive producer is Jo Sargent, Creative Head, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Comedy Entertainment, who adds: "We are delighted to be working with Miranda. She is an extraordinary talent – a huge star in the making. Miranda's skills, both as a performer and a writer, are very impressive – it is rare to find someone so uniquely talented."

Miranda is a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ production for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two.

RD4

Information for viewers

More content about Miranda will be posted, as transmission approaches, on this page: