A string of new stars have joined the cast of Middlesbrough-based BBC comedy Smoggie Queens - including Ted Lasso's Bill Fellows and Drag Race royalty Michelle Visage.
The six-part series, which was filmed across the region earlier this year, is centred around a group of friends who are fiercely proud of their town and LGBTQ+ community.
Described as an "out and out comedy", Smoggie Queens will see the gang navigate their love, life, and pride for a town that feels neglected.
Guisborough-born actor and television presenter Mark Benton and Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell already star in the lineup, alongside Middlesbrough native Phil Dunning, who wrote the show.
Now, the BBC has announced they'll be joined by a whole host of exciting new names, including Michelle Visage, Peaky Blinders star Charlotte Riley, Bill Fellows (Ted Lasso), presenter Steph McGovern, actors Lauryn Redding (Standing At The Sky's Edge), Peter McPherson (In From the Side), Neil Grainger (Hebburn) and Michael Mather (It’s A Sin).
Michelle Visage said: "Filming Smoggie Queens was an absolute joy, and I am so excited for everyone to meet Elaine, an uptight office assistant, who I had so much fun playing - wait until you meet her!
"The script is brilliant, the costumes are amazing, and I loved being amongst Middlesbrough royalty for the day! I’m an official Smoggie now!”
Charlotte Riley added: “Being back in Teesside working with Phil and the team on this incredible project has been the most awesome experience.
"Not sure I've met a more funny and fabulous cast. We had the best laugh ever making this show and I can’t wait to watch it. Just so, so grateful I got to be a part of it.”
Phil Dunning said: “I feel so stupidly lucky that such an incredibly talented cast agreed to come and be part of Smoggie Queens. They were an absolute dream to work with and I’m in awe and adulation of every single one of them.”
Phil Dunning will be heading up the show himself in the role of volatile Dickie, alongside Benton as drag queen 'Mam', Mardell as self-styled hun Lucinda, Patsy Lowe (Vera) as awkward Sal and Teesside actor Elijah Young as newcomer Stewart.
Camera crews have been spotted at several locations across Teesside in recent months as filming for the show - which has now finished - got underway.
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This included the Centre Square and the Teesside University campus, where scenes of a ‘Middlesbrough Pride’ event was filmed.
TV trailers were also spotted at Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form College, on Urlay Nook Road, with filming taking place in Yarm and surrounding areas.
Smoggie Queens will be coming to BBC Three and iPlayer this Autumn.
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