FABEL is an indigenous, Belfast based scripted indie who believe in creating and producing scripted content in Northern Ireland; we’re changing the conversation on TV, Radio and Digital scripted programmes.
We’re respected, network-facing creative producers – experienced in developing writers and writer/performers. Dedicated to amplifying our authentic portrayal and championing diversity in all its forms. We put a sense of humour at the centre of everything we do. We believe in empowering specificity, decency, big heartedness, creative risk taking and in entertaining and surprising audiences in the UK, Ireland and all over the world.
We look for wild and wonderful ideas that entertain. We create, co-create and develop projects which we can offer up to the world and say with full confidence “you’ll not get this anywhere else”.
WHAT WE DO
Scripted Comedy: With over 20 years’ experience in scripted and unscripted comedy we work with writers and performers to create, co-create and develop sitcom, sketch and digital content.
Drama: We work with writers and broadcasters to create stories that entertain, worlds not often seen and relatable characters. Full of surprise and originality and never grey, miserable or grim.
We work in TV and Radio, shortform digital too – the idea is the thing and the writer’s perspective. But we’re pragmatic and this means we can commit to new voices as well as established ones.
We co-produce. Come and speak to us, if you’re keen to work in Ireland, North or South and we share the same ideals let’s see if we can help each other.
We work with and have access to the best editorial and production talent in the UK and Ireland.
We work with and have access to the best comedy writing and performing talent in the UK and Ireland if that’s useful for Brands or Marketing Agencies we can consult or collaborate.
We can’t read and feedback on unsolicited scripts, but if time allows, we can help find new writers the right freelance reader if you’re writing a project that is based or can be made in Ireland.
PROJECTS
AIRED NOVEMBER 2024 ON BBC RADIO 4
PARISH MATTERS, a new sitcom/ sketch show hybrid made in Belfast and starring emerging comedy voices from all over Ireland.
Set “somewhere in Ulster, near the Irish border”, listeners will join a confederacy of dopes for their weekly Parish council meeting as they try to right wrongs and fix problems that blight the lives and livelihoods of the eccentric, landlocked locals: from the horrors of the AI man going round stealing everyone’s jobs to the dwindling birth rate where the only baby born all year was on a bus heading in and then straight out of town.
Abundant in spirit, scarce in sense, the mix of busted personalities, long lasting vendettas and personal grievances make for a combustible and chaotic agenda. They may be odd, but the Parish council are honest, virtuous and determined to keep their beloved Parish between the ditches.
So who’s behind the rampant crime spree when the town policeman goes on holiday? Can anyone solve the morale-clobbering disappearance of a 400lb whiskered town mascot? Why is the Health and Welfare officer swimming in effluent? And how on earth can a completely avoidable financial, legal, humanitarian and ecological disaster be brought on by an environmental awareness festival?
The new series was created and written by Michael McCullagh and Phil Taggart and proudly showcases the new generation of new experimental comedy from all over Ireland including Michael McCullagh, Phil Taggart, Michael Fry, Ciara Knight, Michael Stranney, Hannah Mamalis, Mary Flanigan and Peter McGann.
AIRED APRIL 2024 ON BBC RADIO 4
Award winning comedian and champion martial artist John Meagher investigates Northern Ireland’s ‘satanic panic’ for the surprising truth behind his own reoccurring nightmares.
Did you ever have a reoccurring dream that you think might just be a memory? Or a nightmare so vivid that it could almost be real? John Meagher has; he’s been dreaming about a group of devil worshippers of all things who may or may not have terrorised his home town of Newry, since the early ‘90s. He explores this and more in The Divil’s Own.
THE DIVIL’S OWN is a personal journey into Northern Ireland’s complicated, scary and sometimes downright bizarre past as Meagher faces a unique version of “Satanic Panic” in search of the truth behind his nightmares. And of course, these nightmares do come from memories…sort of. The nightly visions of Black Magic are based on more than just blarney. But even John couldn’t have dreamt where his questions would lead…
THE DIVIL’S OWN is an ambitious, funny and surprising piece of factual audio storytelling from this performer in his Radio 4 hosting debut.
AIRED APRIL 2022 ON BBC RADIO 4
Created by Michael McCullagh and Phil Taggart, PARISH IS BURNING is a wild, silly and surreal sketch show centred on the mysterious broadcast that was first picked up by lorry drivers trying to find a signal in the flatlining radio-desert of the Irish border. A genuine metaphysical anomaly, a mysterious broadcast from an alternative universe (near Omagh) with that uniquely warped, unpredictable, big-hearted, Northern Irish whiff and featuring new comedy talent from all over Ireland.
In this pilot episode visit Mo Farragh’s Ostrich Farm, eavesdrop on the parish helpline, find out if Sargent Gerry Rafferty can crack the case of the man beaten to death with his own kettle, experience Rural Fury at the Parish youth club and catch up on Belfast soap opera Van Dad. Starring Michael Fry, Ciara Knight, Michael Stranney, Hannah Mamalis, Mary Flanigan and Peter McGann.
COMING SOON
Our first BBC Radio 4 afternoon drama – written by Caitlin Magnall-Kearns.
IN DEVELOPMENT
We are currently in funded development with BBC Comedy, BBC Drama, Channel 4 Drama and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
TEAM
Keith Martin – Founder / Creative Director
Keith Martin is an award-winning development producer, producer and Exec with credits or commissions on BBC One, Three, Four, Channel 4, E4, RTÉ, CBC, Radio 4 and CBBC. Keith set up BBC Writers in Northern Ireland and his scripted credits include: Exec Producer: THE BREAK, MEAGHER THE DIVIL’S OWN, SAFE SPACE for and FRIGHT SHORTS for the BBC. Producer/dev. producer credits include PARISH MATTERS, PARISH IS BURNING PUMPED, V-SIGN, SHORT STUFF, LAGGING and SOFT BORDER PATROL for the BBC. And writer/producer credits include HEADWRECKERS for Channel 4, APE for E4, TOUCHING PEOPLE for RTÉ, MY BFFF for CBBC and SKETCHY for BBC Northern Ireland.
Tim Loane – Executive Producer / Showrunner
Oscar nominated for his film Dance Lexie Dance, Tim Loane is creator of Channel 4’s Bafta-nominated TEACHERS, writer and showrunner of VERSAILLES for Canal+ and writer of the six-part reboot of TV classic, MINDER for Channel 5. Other writing includes family drama series LITTLE DEVIL starring Robson Green, comedy film REVERSALS with Sarah Parish and Marc Warren for ITV, four-part conspiracy thriller PROOF with Orla Brady for RTE, various episodes of DAS BOOT for Sky Germany and MARCELLA for ITV/Netflix.
Anna Hinds – Development Producer
Anna Hinds is a development producer and producer. Prior to working at Fabel, Anna had roles at Hat Trick Productions and BBC Writers in Belfast. Anna produced WILLIAM OF ORANGEDALE for Channel 4 Blaps, and the upcoming BBC Radio 4 afternoon drama, SAFE SPACE. She began her career in production and her credits include THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING, STAN AND OLLIE, MORGAN, DAD’s ARMY, SENSE8, RED2, ONE DAY and THE DA VINCI CODE.
NEWS
Radio 4 to air its first Northern Irish sitcom 14 October 2024
Edinburgh Fringe 2024: 12 Rising Stars of Comedy to See 15 July 2024
BBC Comedy Announces Comedy Collective
Next Cohort Joining BBC Comedy Collective Announced at BBC Comedy Festival 23 May 2024
I Wanted to Tell a Story That Wasn’t About the Troubles: John Meagher on His Tale of Satanic Panic 20 April 2024
Inside Northern Ireland’s Satanic Panic 17 April 2024
BBC Announces Recipients of Small Indie Fund 2024 16 January 2024
Arts Q&A: Screenwriter Christine Murphy: I’m Doing What I Really Love 22 July 2023
Channel 4 Support N&R Based Indies Through Its 2022 Emerging Indie Fund 22 November 2022
Parish is Burning on Radio 4 18 March 2022
BBC announces recipients of Small Indie Fund 2021/22 25 January 2022
CONTACT
Please note that we only accept scripts from recognised agents. Unfortunately we do not accept, read or comment on unsolicited material.
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