New additions to Hebburn cast – as filming continues.

Jason Cook, creator of Hebburn.

Gina McKee, Jan Ravens and Phil Nice will star alongside Vic Reeves [Jim Moir], Chris Ramsey and Jason Cook in the six-part BBC Two comedy series, Hebburn.

Hebburn, the hometown of creator Cook, has created a swarm of media buzz in the North East after filming for the show began this past Monday on location in Hebburn.

The series itself tells the tale of the Pearson family and their impetuous and ambitious son, Jack, played by South Shields stand-up Chris Ramsey, who leaves Tyneside for the bright lights and glamour of Manchester. He has secretly married a middle class Jewish girl, Sarah (Kimberley Nixon) and realises that it is about time he introduced her to his family.

Reeves and McKee (Our Friends In The North, Notting Hill) will play Jason’s parents, Joe and Pauline, who are devoted to their family and their hometown.

While Jan Ravens and Phil Nice star as Sarah’s parents, Susan and Ben, who have to contend with their daughter marrying into a family from a very different background.

Nice said: “Having seen Jason Cook’s show in Edinburgh last summer, I’m not surprised that the writing in this series is so good – the characters are really strong and I’m very happy to be part of Hebburn.”

His on-screen wife Ravens commented: “Even at the read through, the script just leapt off the page. Jason Cook has such an individual style. It’s earthy, outrageous and has a heart of gold… and it’s dead funny. The cast is amazing, and really get their teeth into a panoply of fantastic characters.”

And as Giggle Beats revealed back in March, North East stand-up Steffen Peddie will also join the cast as Big Keith, a friend of Jack.

Creator Jason Cook added: “I used to quote all of Vic Reeves’ lines when I was at school so to bring Hebburn to life with him, an award-winning actress like Gina McKee and the young, electric cast is mind-blowing.”

Filming concludes in Hebburn tomorrow.