Smoggie Queens writer 'proper buzzing for big glitzy Middlesbrough screening' - with wedges of parmo

Hundreds of people in Teesside have the chance to attend the pink carpet premiere of new BBC comedy Smoggie Queens.

For more than a year stars have been spotted across the area, including at Hartlepool Headland, Whitby and Thornaby filming for the upcoming series. These have included Guisborough-born and Grangetown-raised Mark Benton who was seen on location at a house in Thornaby in June.

The Middlesbrough premiere of Smoggie Queens will be held on Wednesday, November 27 at Middlesbrough Town Hall. The series, which is set in and filmed in Middlesbrough, tells the story of volatile Dickie (Phil Dunning) along with drag queen Mam (Mark Benton), self-styled hun Lucinda (Alexandra Mardell), awkward Sal (Patsy Lowe) and newcomer Stewart (Elijah Young).

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Cast members are all set to attend the exclusive premiere, which will preview two episodes from the series ahead of its broadcast on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on November 28. The audience will even get the chance to quiz the cast in a Q&A after the screening.

Phil Dunning, who wrote and created the show, said: "I'm proper buzzing that we're getting to do a big glitzy screening in Middlesbrough. I'm so excited that the people of Teesside will get a chance to come along and see a preview of the show before it airs and join us with a glass of pop and a wedge of parmo.

"Smoggie Queens focusses on a group of friends living in Boro and viewers can expect to be taken on spontaneous and ridiculous adventures with them. It's a series with heart whilst also being really stupid and actually a bit weird. Wigs, stilettos and wonky eyebrows are all heavily featured. It might just be the most chaotic thing you'll ever witness - unless you've been to Boro town centre on a Saturday night."

Kate Squire, Head of the BBC in the North East says: "Championing homegrown talent like Phil and being able to put a spotlight on places like Middlesbrough is really important to us and I'm sure everyone in Teesside and beyond are going to love this brilliant, clever, funny and bonkers series."

To apply for tickets for the free screening go to the BBC Shows and Tours website which can be found here. Series like Smoggie Queens demonstrate the BBC's Across the UK strategy, to better reflect, represent, and serve all parts of the country. The BBC committed to its biggest investment in the North East of England for decades in 2021 as part of a new partnership with the region.

At the time, the BBC agreed to spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector. The BBC, 12 local authorities and three combined authorities signed a memorandum of understanding to work side-by-side in the future.

Smoggie Queens is a Hat Trick production (Derry Girls, Outnumbered, Have I Got News For You and Episodes) for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, with funding support from North East Screen Industries Partnership delivered by North East Screen with worldwide distribution by Hat Trick International.

The series was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy. The producer is Chris Jones (Kate & Koji, Whistle Through The Shamrocks) and the director is Andrew Chaplin (Alma's Not Normal, The Full Monty). The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Gregor Sharp.

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