Rewarding, a new six-part comedy series from Conker, commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland and the independent studio, US streamer and entertainment brand the Wonder Project, is now in production in Belfast.
The series is 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. Rewarding is now expanding into a 6×30-minute series.
A second round of Green Lit is currently underway.
Set on the frontlines of domiciliary care, Rewarding follows the messy lives of the support workers and their disabled and neurodivergent clients.
The series features 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.
Made with support from Northern Ireland Screen, the series stars Vittorio Angelone and Hannah McClean (Blue Lights).
Banijay Rights will handle international distribution.
Rewarding was written by Matthew McDevitt (Hope Street), Paddy Campbell (Bodkin), and Faebian Averies (Bergerac) and will be directed by David Moody (The B-Team).
It follows Francis (Vittorio Angelone) and Sinead (Hannah McClean), 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 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 “that must be challenging… but rewarding.”
Jason Butler, Commissioning Editor, BBC NI, 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.”
Tommy Bulfin and Kim Varvell, Joint CEOs Conker Pictures said: “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.”
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 series was commissioned by Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, and Justin Rosenblatt and Tristen Tuckfield for Wonder Project. It 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.
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. The three short films were Rewarding (Conker Pictures), Helpless (Fabel Productions), and Mourning Glory (Fíbín Films NI) and are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Green Lit Round Two is currently underway. More details on the new commissions will be announced in the coming months.
Picture: L-R: Top – Lee Snodgrass (Cal), Fáolan Morgan (Cyril), Joanne Crawford (Nicola), Paul Mallon (Mr Lonegan). Bottom – Bernadette Brown (Fidelma), Hannah McClean (Sinead), Vittorio Angelone (Francis), John Moffat (Joe). (Image: PressEye)
Pippa Considine
Share this story
