A new BBC Four programme which celebrates Eddie Braben, the comedy scriptwriter behind the success of Morecambe and Wise, is filming at The Bottle Yard Studios and on location across Bristol from this week onwards.
Eric, Ernie & Me is written by Neil Forsyth (Bob Servant, Waiting for Andre) and produced by Objective Fiction. It explores the relationship between Morecambe, Wise and Braben, who became known as The Golden Triangle. For over a decade, Braben penned Morecambe and Wise’s material, and reshaped the double act into the Eric and Ernie that the nation took to its heart. But it wasn’t all sunshine. This one-hour film celebrates Braben as the man behind Morecambe and Wise’s greatest successes, culminating in their iconic 1977 Christmas Show, whilst showing the pressure and pain he went through to help create the screen work of Britain’s most beloved double act.
The two-week shoot is taking place at sets built in 8,000 sq. ft. of The Bottle Yard’s Studio 6 and at locations across Bristol, including Colston Hall, Mariners Drive in Stoke Bishop, Thingwall Park (Fishponds), The Wills Building (Bedminster), St Annes Board Mills Social Club (Redfield), Brislington United Reformed Church and Filwood Community Centre (Knowle West). Bristol Film Office has assisted the production team with sourcing a host of locations, setting up recces and unit bases.
Producer Alison Sterling says: “The presence of the Bottle Yard as a filming resource in Bristol has been an enormous boon to the local film industry. There is a thriving network of really high-quality crew in the region which is helping us in the making of Eric Ernie and Me. Nearly all our crew and equipment are based in the Bristol region and we are delighted also to be able to use locations in the communities of Filwood, Brislington and St Anne’s. All the local residents have been exceptionally welcoming.”
Natalie Moore of Bristol Film Office says: “What could be more intriguing than a look at the relationship behind the success of the nation’s favourite double act? We’ve helped line up a variety of locations for this shoot and it’s fantastic to see the many sides of Bristol, from residential Knowle West to the iconic Colston Hall, portraying a 60’s and 70’s period British setting for a story about one of the most popular comedy duos of all time.”
Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks, Drop the Dead Donkey) will play Eddie, Eric Morecambe will be played by Mark Bonnar (Apple Tree Yard, Catastrophe) with Neil Maskell (Humans, Utopia) as Ernie Wise. Rufus Jones (Stan and Olly, W1A) stars as the double act’s long term producer John Ammonds; Alexander Macqueen (Peaky Blinders, Hunderby) as Bill Cotton, BBC’s Head of Light Entertainment, and Liz White (Ackley Bridge, Our Zoo) as Braben’s ever encouraging wife Deidree.
(l-r) Alexander Macqueen, Mark Bonnar, Stephen Tompkinson, Neil Maskell and Rufus Jones in ERIC, ERNIE & ME (© BBC/Objective Fiction/Natalie Moore)
Fiona Francombe of The Bottle Yard Studios said: “We’re very excited to host this excellent new BBC Four film, featuring such a strong cast headed up by the talented Stephen
The 1×60 programme was commissioned by Gregor Sharp, Commissioning Editor, BBC Comedy and is produced by Objective Fiction, part of Objective Media Group. Executive Producers are Ben Farrell and Toby Stevens executive produce with Alison Sterling producing.