The pink carpet is set to be rolled out on Teesside for the premiere of Middlesbrough-filmed BBC comedy Smoggie Queens.
The six-part series - which is both set and filmed in the town - is set to be given the showbiz treatment with a glitzy premiere at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
The exclusive event will take place on Wednesday, November 27, with all the likes of Middlesbrough native Mark Benton, Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell, and writer Phil Dunning all set to attend.
The “out and out” comedy has been filming across Teesside over the last year, in locations such as Centre Square in Middlesbrough, at the Hartlepool Headland, and in the Eaglescliffe area.
Tickets are now up for grabs at the event and can be applied for online, with the show set to be broadcast officially 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.
Smoggie Queens tells the story of volatile Dickie (Dunning) along with drag queen Mam (Benton), self-styled hun Lucinda (Mardell), awkward Sal (Patsy Lowe) and newcomer Stewart (Elijah Young).
The six 30-minute episodes will see the group of friends - who are all fiercely proud of their town and pocked of the LGBTQ+ community - navigate their love, life, and pride for a town that feels neglected, in its own little corner of the north.
The cast also includes 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).
Phil Dunning 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.”
Recommended reading:
- Darlington House of Fraser manager speaks out over new deal
- What shops are opening at Teesside Park? Full list
- Mountain Warehouse opens at Tindale Retail Park, Bishop Auckland
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here.
Kate Squire, Head of the BBC in the North East added: “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: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/smoggie-queens-screening-27nov24
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here