Vittorio Angelone and Hannah McClean to lead new BBC comedy Rewarding

It follows the messy lives of the support workers and their disabled and neurodivergent clients.

BBC iPlayer has announced new six-part comedy Rewarding, which stars Vittorio Angelone and Hannah McClean and is set on the frontlines of domiciliary care.

Rewarding follows the messy lives of the support workers and their disabled and neurodivergent clients, and the series will feature disabled, neurodivergent and learning disabled talent in key roles and draws on lived experience to bring authenticity and nuance to its portrayal of social care.

It was originally developed as a short pilot episode starring Vittorio Angelone and Seána Kerslake, which was made as part of BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Green Lit scheme. An initiative designed to support and showcase emerging talent in writing, directing, production and acting across Northern Ireland.

As part of Green Lit, three short, scripted films were shortlisted for broadcast in 2025, with Rewarding now being expanded into a six-part series.

Vittorio Angelone reprises his role as Francis from the original pilot episode, while Hannah McClean takes on the role of Sinead, two support workers doing their best to care for their clients, if not always each other.

Newcomer Sinead is an unstoppable force of positivity and idealism, old hand Francis the immovable object of reality and pragmatism.

Each episode of Rewarding is set in their domiciliary care facility ‘Beacon Fold’ as Francis and Sinead clash, flirt and overshare while putting out the small fires all around them. Never failing in their duty of care to their clients, the real adversary won’t be the complexities of supporting their clients, but rather some of their colleagues' unique approaches to the job, the endless bureaucracy of social care and their own crumbling personal lives.

Based on writer Matthew McDevitt’s own hard-earned experiences and observations over years spent in the world of social care. The title is an in-joke amongst care workers everywhere, as the response to telling people what they do for a living is almost always without fail (a slightly patronising) “that must be challenging... but rewarding.”

The series also stars Bernadette Brown as Fidelma, Joanne Crawford as Nicola, and Faolan Morgan as Cyril, who all work in the care system with their clients Cal, played by Lee Snodgrass, Martina played by Faith Alabi and Joe, played by John Moffat, in his first acting role on television.

Made by Conker Pictures, part of Banijay UK, Rewarding is written by Matthew McDevitt, Paddy Campbell and Faebian Averies, directed by David Moody and will be executive produced by Kim Varvell and Tommy Bulfin for Conker Pictures alongside Jason Butler, Commissioning Editor for BBC NI, and Justin Rosenblatt and Tristen Tuckfield for Wonder Project, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.

Speaking ahead of the new series, BBC NI's Commissioning Editor, Jason Butler, said "Rewarding showcases the strength of Northern Ireland’s creative talent, pairing sharp, authentic writing with an exciting new generation of performers. It’s especially exciting to see the series grow from the Green Lit scheme. Initiatives like this are vital in championing new voices and giving locally rooted stories the space to evolve into ambitious productions, which is exactly what Rewarding has achieved."

To which Tommy Bulfin and Kim Varvell, Joint CEOs of Conker Pictures, adde "We are absolutely delighted that our funny and heart-warming short film Rewarding has been picked up for a full series. To have the opportunity to work with such amazing disabled, neurodivergent and learning disabled talent and to centre the stories / experiences of both the clients and the support workers is a total joy. Matthew's experience working in adult domiciliary care brings a real authenticity to his storytelling and a deep fondness for his characters which is totally infectious. We defy anyone not to fall in love with the world of Rewarding!"

"Rewarding brings humour, heart, and humanity to a world that rarely gets this kind of attention on screen,” said Justin Rosenblatt, Head of Global TV at Wonder Project. “Matthew has created a series that celebrates the people who dedicate themselves to caring for others, while never losing sight of the joy, relationships, and unexpected moments that make life meaningful. It's a funny, deeply authentic story that reflects values we care about and the kind of storytelling we're proud to champion."

And Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said "Developing and championing new talent is at the heart of what Northern Ireland Screen does, and Green Lit was created to give emerging writers, directors, producers and performers a meaningful opportunity to take bold ideas from development through to production."

"It is wonderful to see Rewarding make that journey from a Green Lit short to a full series commission. This is exactly the kind of progression we want to support - distinctive Northern Ireland stories, shaped by fresh creative voices, reaching audiences at scale. We are delighted for Matthew, Conker Pictures and the whole team, and look forward to seeing Rewarding continue to showcase the depth, humour and heart of talent from here."

The Green Lit initiative was launched in December 2024, inviting proposals from independent production companies. Six scripted short films were initially selected for funded development, with three progressing to full production; Rewarding, Helpless and Mourning Glory.

Green Lit Round Two is currently underway, with more details on the new commissions set to be announced in the coming months.

Rewarding will air on BBC iPlayer