Shetland favourites reunite for brand new BBC sitcom set in "breathtaking" rural Scotland

Shetland favourites Mark Bonnar and Ashley Jensen are reuniting for a brand new sitcom coming to BBC.

Set in "breathtaking" rural Scotland, Bonnar and Jensen will lead the cast as Gerry and Cat in Rambling, an enchanting, warm and witty sitcom about a pair of unlikely travelling companions.

The synopsis for Rambling reads: "You’d never put Gerry and Cat together. He’s order, she’s chaos. Gerry plans every step. Cat gets lost on the way to the car park.

"Gerry’s on a mission to fulfil a promise to his recently deceased brother. Cat’s flying solo having been thrown out a walking group that was supposed to be a fresh start for her.

"The more they walk and talk, they discover they’re travelling on common ground. Rambling is a feel-good Scottish sitcom all about putting your best foot forward."

Rambling is a one-off 30 minute show penned by comedy writing duo Iain Connell (Burnistoun, The Scotts) and Sharon Young (The Scotts).

"I’m so thrilled to be doing this beautifully written, very funny script by Iain and Sharon," Mark Bonnar said.

"I’ve never played someone quite like Gerry before and I can’t wait to get cracking! On top of that, to be reunited with the wonderful Ashley Jensen! Doesn’t get any better."

Ashley Jensen, herself, added "Sharon and Ian’s script is about nothing and everything. It’s smart, honest, poignant, moving and funny. It’s about loss, loneliness, and our need for connection.

"I started my career with the BBC Comedy unit a long time ago, so I am delighted to return and be part of Rambling and to be reunited with the talented Mark Bonnar along with a resilient and incredibly skilled crew with whom we will be braving the Scottish elements to bring this beautiful special to life."

As well as working together on Shetland, the Scottish actors have previously starred opposite each other in the Channel 4 comedy show Catastrophe as dysfunctional married couple Fran and Chris, who later separate.

Individually, Ashley Jensen is recognised from Ugly Betty, Extras and Agatha Raisin while Mark Bonnar has starred in Guilt, Casualty, Psychoville, Line of Duty, Unforgotten, Summer of Rockets, Dept. Q, and Ludwig. Last year he appeared as himself in the first series of Celebrity Traitors.

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Authors

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.