One of BBC One’s most popular drama series has begun filming its spin-off show in Manchester this week.
The A Word – which follows a young boy and his family to show how they cope with the revelation that he has autism spectrum disorder – drew in millions of viewers and developed a dedicated fanbase after running for three series between 2016 and 2020, and now, production has started on its spin-off.
The new miniseries Ralph & Katie will continue the story of two fan-favourite characters, Ralph and Katie Wilson.
The BBC has revealed that each of the six episodes in the series will feature a different story focusing on the domestic challenges the couple face, which are said to be “issues faced by all newlyweds, but with an added ingredient in the mix being that the couple have Down’s syndrome”.
Leon Harrop and Sarah Gordy both reprise their roles for the series.
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Pooky Quesnel will also reprise her role as Ralph’s mum Louise, Nigel Betts and Sherry Baines as Katie’s parents Steve and Clare, and Matt Greenwood as Tom.
Ralph & Katie has started filming in Manchester & the Lake District 👏
It follows the story of Ralph (Leon Harrop) & Katie (@sarah_gordy) from @theaworduk as they face the usual newlywed challenges, with the added ingredient in the mix being that the couple have Down’s Syndrome. pic.twitter.com/4DG5X1B3Tk
Other new and familiar faces heading to Manchester’s Space Studios and stunning locations in the Lake District include Craig Cash as Brian, Dylan Bradys as Dan, Jamie Marie Leary as Emma, Sam Retford as Gary, and Daniel Cerqueira as Dr Graves, who have all played parts in a number of popular Manchester and Northern-based shows in recent years.
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The groundbreaking spin-off series is created by Peter Bowker, who is also lead writer, as he was on The A Word, while the rest of the writing team is made up entirely of new and emerging disabled writers.
Those writers are Amy Trigg, Annalisa Dinnella, Genevieve Barr, Tom Wentworth, and Lizzie Watson.
Speaking as production began, Peter Bowker said: “The writing team have delivered a series of scripts that are full of joy, humour, and authenticity, and it will be exciting to see the wonderful cast bring them to life under the direction of the force of nature that is Jordan Hogg.”
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Ralph & Katie will continue the story of two fan-favourite characters, Ralph and Katie Wilson / Credit: BBC North
In a bid to encourage a more inclusive future behind and in front of the camera, ITV Studios and BBC Drama are teaming up with TripleC DANC on Ralph & Katie to offer behind the scenes access for those across the North West who are deaf, disabled, autistic and neurodivergent, and interested in how a high-end TV production is made to kick-start their career.
Those on the programme will have access to meetings with various heads of departments as they discuss scripts, location scouting, scheduling, budgeting, set design, and wardrobe, and paid trainees have also been recruited in casting, ADS, Production, Costume, Unit Stills, and EPK.
“We’re embarking on something that’s never been attempted in our industry,” explained award-winning series director Jordan Hogg, who is himself disabled.
“We’re changing the world.”
Ralph & Katie will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
Featured Image – BBC
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Erling Haaland is set to make his acting debut later this year
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland is set to make his debut film appearance later this year in his first proper voice acting job as part of an animated movie.
Let’s just say our obsessive countdown until the release date starts NOW.
The Premier League player and sporting superstar has obviously featured on camera plenty since bursting onto the scene – not least of all for his own YouTube channel – but this will be new territory for the Norwegian.
Rather fittingly for the Scandinavian striker, he’s not only playing a Viking character in the upcoming animation, ViQueens, but he’s also basically set to play a version of himself.
Soccer Superstar Erling Haaland to Play Animated Viking in Film Debut (Exclusive) https://t.co/r6uxxOClJI
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the new film by fellow compatriot and director, Harald Zwart, who is best known for the likes of Agent Cody Banks, the 2010 Karate Kid reboot, and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
He also directed comedian Steve Martin’s second outing as The Pink Panther, so it’s safe to say he’s got a funny bone or two.
That being said, it feels like the 25-year-old will be able to have some fun with this script, in which he is set to play a Viking of the same name – because of course he is.
While it’s still yet to be revealed as to just how big a role he will have in the feature film set to arrive this winter, what we know so far is that the film is an action-comedy adventure revolving around a “world of fearless warrior girls, icy fjords, and Silk Road mythology.”
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t even the first time we’ve seen a cartoon version of Erling Haaland brought to life, as he also popped up in the world of gaming a little while back.
The career of a top footballer really can be a crazy one, can’t it?
Speaking on the film, director and co-writer Zwart told the outlet: “As a Norwegian storyteller making a Viking adventure for a global audience, having Erling Haaland join ViQueens feels incredibly exciting.
“Erling has already become a kind of real-life Viking icon around the world – powerful, fearless, and uniquely Norwegian. Bringing him into this universe as himself gives the film an unexpected energy and authenticity that felt completely right for this story.”
Other famous faces set to star in the animation, which is set to release this December, include singer-turned-actor Rita Ora and Ella Purnell (Fallout, Arcane, Sweetpea), who are starring as the two lead characters and voice actors.
Enzo Maresca to Manchester City: Ex-Chelsea coach looks set to replace Pep Guardiola
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager and club legend Pep Guardiola looks all set to leave the Etihad at the end of this season, and it appears that Enzo Maresca has already been identified as his replacement.
With the game-changing Catalan head coach now seemingly gearing up to leave Man City after a decade, following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign (which his side could very well still win), Blues are already getting ready to bid a bittersweet goodbye.
You won’t find many City supporters who will be happy to see him go, having overseen not only a period of dominance but the most successful period in their history – one that has quite literally changed English football – but they will at least be optimistic about the frontrunner to succeed him.
As per the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, among other sources, an agreement is said to have been reached for the Italian to take over in East Manchester.
🚨🔵 BREAKING: Enzo Maresca has a total verbal agreement with Manchester City, HERE WE GO!
The Italian manager has always been considered the ideal candidate to replace Pep Guardiola.
Deal in place and Maresca will sign an initial three year deal at #MCFC. 🇮🇹
Going so far as to state that the deal is now in place, he claims that Maresca will sign a three-year deal with Man City.
Obviously, this is all still pending an official announcement by the club, which may now be moving up their plans to confirm Pep’s departure since the news was first reported on Monday, 18 May.
According to The Athletic‘s Sam Lee, who was part of the outlet’s team that helped break the story alongside David Ornstein, the 46-year-old has been earmarked for the top job for more than half a decade, as it turns out.
He states that former City Football Group exec and director of football, Txiki Begiristain, already believed Maresca could follow in the Spaniard’s footseps back in 2020.
Yes, it’s also worth reminding that Maresca has already worked as part of the staff at the Etihad Campus, not only leading their Elite Development Squad (EDS) of U23s players, but also being part of the backroom staff alongside the serial winner, serving as an assistant coach in 2022.
Sources are telling Sky Sports News that Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City after Sunday's final Premier League game of the season 🔵
Preparations are underway for the outcome that Guardiola will leave – and Enzo Maresca is most likely to become his successor.
The 46-year-old has gone on to win the likes of the Championship, UEFA Conference League title and a FIFA Club World Cup in his last two jobs at Leicester and Chelsea, respectively, barring his very first stint at Parma in 2021 when he missed out getting his side promoted.
Safe to say that Maresca has quickly gone on to be one of the most promising managerial prospects in a relatively short space of time, and was even linked with being both the England boss and a rival position for Manchester United at one point or another.
It’s only a matter of time until we find out if/for how long he gets the job following Pep Guardiola’s contract expiring this summer, but he’ll have quite the job on
Would you be happy with the appointment, Blues? More crucially, perhaps, are you ready to say farewell to your greatest-ever manager?
Emily Sergeant -
23rd February 2022 
