BBC Northern Ireland and CBC greenlight new romantic comedy series, Committed
Top Row L-R: Dustin Milligan (Image: Rodin Eckenroth), Diona Doherty (Image: Khara Pringle) , Ian McElhinney (Image: Chris Hill), Dan Gordon (Image: Damian McCann), Muki Zubis (Image: B Clarence Photography), Bottom Row L-R: Seamus O’Hara (Image: Nathan Magee), Patrick Buchanan (Image: Khara Pringle), Chris McCurry (Image: Brandon Bishop), Georgie Murphy (Image: Jeffery Mosier Photography), Athena Karkanis (Image: Bjoern Kommerell)
BBC Northern Ireland and CBC today announced the greenlight of new original comedy series Committed, starring Dustin Milligan (Schitt’s Creek, Hot Frosty) and Diona Doherty (Derry Girls, Blue Lights).
The series follows Canadian Peter Hooley (Milligan), a recently divorced accountant, who falls head over heels for Northern Ireland woman Julie Johnston (Doherty) after a whirlwind weekend in Toronto, and crosses the Atlantic to declare his love, only to discover he's landed in an old-fashioned and eccentric rural Northern Ireland village that's nothing like he imagined.
Produced by Cameron Pictures and Fabel Productions, filming is currently underway in County Down, Northern Ireland, with additional scenes shooting in Hamilton, Ontario. The series is slated to premiere on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service in winter 2027 and is expected to air on BBC Northern Ireland around the same time.
Joining Milligan and Doherty are Ian McElhinney (Derry Girls, Game of Thrones), Dan Gordon (Blue Lights, Bloodlands), Muki Zubis (This is Going to Hurt), Seamus O’Hara (House of Guinness, Say Nothing), Patrick Buchanan (Blue Lights, Warrior), Chris McCurry (Belfast, Obituary), Athena Karkanis (Manifest, The Handmaid’s Tale) and Georgie Murphy (Stumble, GEN V).
Sally Catto, General Manager, Programming, CBC says: "Committed offers a classic fish-out-of-water comedy intertwined with a unique love story that follows the all too human aftermath of a grand romantic gesture, rather than the build-up to it.
“We know the show will connect with audiences in Canada and around the world thanks to its heart and authenticity, and are excited to be partnering with BBC Northern Ireland alongside the outstanding teams at Cameron Pictures and Fabel Productions.”
Jason Butler, BBC Northern Ireland Commissioning Editor says: “Audiences are going to fall in love with this bold new comedy series. We’ve a brilliant cast that viewers will be familiar with on both sides of the Atlantic – we’re delighted to welcome Dustin to these shores starring alongside our own Diona Doherty.
“And it’s fantastic for BBC Northern Ireland to link up with CBC on this innovative project helping to further develop and support the creative industry here and to bring a flavour of our Northern Ireland humour to comedy fans further afield.”
Amy Cameron, Co-Founder/Executive Producer, Cameron Pictures Inc says: “Committed brings together so many of the elements we value in great television: sharp writing, memorable characters and a story that bridges cultures in a genuinely entertaining way.
“Reuniting with CBC on a series of this scope and collaborating closely with Fabel Productions to bring this cross-Atlantic story to life, has been an energising creative experience. This is a series rooted in place and perspective, yet universally relatable, and we’re excited for audiences to fall in love with these characters as much as we have.”
Keith Martin, Executive Producer, Fabel Productions says: “To make a comedy from this part of this Island with all its quirks, huge hearts and ugly-beautiful glory is a career highlight. We’re so excited to share our abrasive but loveable, odd folk and their daft wee community with the world.
“Wait until you see our amazingly talented Canadian and beloved homegrown cast. A dream! Thank you to all of our partners for making the leap in the name of love to a place not often seen or celebrated. High hopes, comedy with consequences and lots of animals to follow."
Prentiss Fraser, President of FOX Entertainment Global says: “Committed exemplifies the kind of distinctive, character-driven storytelling that travels, resonating across borders and cultures.
“We’re proud to partner with CBC and BBC Northern Ireland, alongside the prolific team at Cameron Pictures, whose work consistently delivers both creatively and commercially. With its unique voice and a standout cast led by Dustin Milligan, Committed is well positioned to connect with audiences around the world.”
Committed is a romantic comedy about what happens in a relationship after the grand gesture, when real life barges in. At its core, the series explores what it means to step outside your comfort zone—and how people who are very different from you can make life far more interesting than you planned.
A CBC original series, Committed is produced in association with BBC Northern Ireland by Cameron Pictures Inc. and Fabel Productions Ltd. under the UK/Canada Co-Production Treaty, and global distribution is handled by FOX. The series was co-created by Keith Martin, Gerry Dee and Tim Loane, who is showrunner, and developed under the Northern Ireland Screen/Canada Media Fund Co-Development Initiative for Audiovisual Projects.
Executive producers are Amy Cameron, Tassie Cameron and Alex Patrick for Cameron Pictures; Keith Martin for Fabel Productions; Tim Loane and Gerry Dee; Jessie Gabe; and Molly McGlynn, who also directs the pilot and four episodes. Peter Huang directs five episodes. Co-executive producers are Dustin Milligan, Karen Tsang, Caledonia Brown and Shebli Zarghami. Chris Martin is producer. Writers include Tim Loane, Jessie Gabe and Shebli Zarghami, with supervising producer Kurt Smeaton and consulting producer Linsey Stewart.
For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Programming; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Sandra Picheca is Director, Current Production, Comedy; and Mélanie Lê Phan is Executive in Charge of Current Production. For BBC Northern Ireland, Eddie Doyle is Head of Content Commissioning and Jason Butler is Commissioning Editor.
Additional financing was provided by the Canada Media Fund and Northern Ireland Screen.
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