GameFace ends on Channel 4 after two series

Tuesday 24th November 2020, 5:32pm

  • Channel 4 is axing GameFace after two series
  • Roisin Conaty wrote and starred in 13 episodes and 3 shorts as single thirtysomething Marcella
  • The network says: "Roisin deserves so much credit for paving the way in modern female led comedy"
GameFace. Image shows from L to R: Caroline (Caroline Ginty), Marcella (Roisin Conaty), Lucy (Nina Toussaint-White). Copyright: Objective Productions

Roisin Conaty's GameFace has been axed by Channel 4 after two series, British Comedy Guide can reveal.

The network has declined to order a third run of the sitcom, which aired its second series in Summer 2019.

Critically acclaimed and described variously by the press as "impeccably written", "irresistible", it was hailed as "the funniest sitcom of the year" on the debut of Series 1, and has been nominated for a string of awards, including Best Comedy at the Edinburgh Television Festival.

A spokesperson for Channel 4 confirmed to British Comedy Guide today: "We were hugely proud to air two series of the game changing GameFace; Roisin deserves so much credit for paving the way in modern female led comedy. The time felt right to draw a line and we've decided not to return to Marcella's wonderfully chaotic life, but hope to work with Roisin again on something new."

Debuting as a series of three shorts in the broadcaster's Comedy Blaps strand, the format was considered so successful that a full-length 4Funnies TV pilot was commissioned before their publication, airing less than a fortnight after the shorts' appeared online, in April 2014.

The pilot proved successful with viewers, and a full series was swiftly commissioned, debuting on E4 in October 2017 to critical acclaim.

Following the tangled love- and work-life of thirtysomething actor Marcella, the sitcom - written by and starring Conaty - left fans on tenterhooks at the end of Series 1 as to whether she would admit her growing love for her driving instructor, played by Damien Molony.

Series 2 moved back to the network's flagship station and was broadcast during July and August 2019 as Marcella and Jon's will-they-won't-they relationship continued.

The rest of the cast included Conaty's real-life flatmate, Caroline Ginty, as Marcella's flatmate Caroline, with Nina Toussaint-White as fellow friend Lucy.

Here is the original Comedy Blap short, the first of three originally published on 11th April 2014.

GameFace - Series 1

Marcella is on a mission to change her future for the better, assisted by her dubious life-coach, best friend and ever-patient driving instructor.

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    Not in the UK?

    Fear not! Many items can still be ordered. Amazon in the UK delivers to many international territories, whilst their Australia, USA and Canada stores also supply many equivalent or imported items.

    If you are in the North America, look out for US/Canadian flag icons on popular product listings for direct links.

    If you order from a UK store, please note that the UK is in Region 2 and B, respectively, for DVDs and Blu-rays - check your player's compatibility, or look for multi-region products if you are located in another region.

    If you are in Australia or New Zealand (DVD Region 4), note that almost all DVDs distributed in the UK by the BBC and 2entertain are encoded for both Region 2 and Region 4. The UK and Australasia are in the same Blu-ray region (B).

    GameFace - Series 2

    Roisin Conaty's award-winning comedy GameFace is back for a second series. Conaty stars as Marcella, an aspiring actress with a chaotic life and big dreams.

      BCG may earn commission on sales generated through the links above.

      Not in the UK?

      Fear not! Many items can still be ordered. Amazon in the UK delivers to many international territories, whilst their Australia, USA and Canada stores also supply many equivalent or imported items.

      If you are in the North America, look out for US/Canadian flag icons on popular product listings for direct links.

      If you order from a UK store, please note that the UK is in Region 2 and B, respectively, for DVDs and Blu-rays - check your player's compatibility, or look for multi-region products if you are located in another region.

      If you are in Australia or New Zealand (DVD Region 4), note that almost all DVDs distributed in the UK by the BBC and 2entertain are encoded for both Region 2 and Region 4. The UK and Australasia are in the same Blu-ray region (B).

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