Sweetshop adds comedy maestro, Andrew Chaplin, to its global roster

Andrew Chaplin loves to make people smile. His films are full of heart and wit. His flair for comedy is spread right across the genre from exaggerated belly laugh work to subtly nuanced films. He is now represented globally by Sweetshop.

Morgan Whitlock, executive producer, Sweetshop UK & Europe, commented, “Running throughout Andrew’s work is a sensitivity and empathy, seemingly at odds with some of the broader, slapstick moments he so perfectly captures. That’s why your heart goes out to his characters, even as you’re laughing yourself stupid at them.”

Chaplin has worked with some of the UK’s best-loved comedians, including Michael McIntyre, Charlie Brooker, Jimmy Carr, Robert Webb, Keith Lemon and John Bishop, directing an array of series and sketches with them, and many more, for television. His humiliating audition sketch, Fiery Hawk, with Cardinal Burns was a viral worldwide hit and was picked up by Comic Relief for broadcast.

In commercials, he has worked on campaigns for some of the UK’s most prominent brands, such as BBC, Carphone Warehouse, Candy Crush and Volkswagen.

https://youtu.be/_B8erj1rShg

Andrew directed the “irresistible comedy that’s all heart and silliness,” GameFace for Channel 4, an offbeat story about out-of-work actor Marcella starring, Roisin Conaty. The Guardian critic, Rebecca Nicholson, described it as “big-hearted, but never overly sentimental; contemplative, but only after it’s given you a belly laugh about how ridiculous everything has turned out to be.” The Telegraph called it “rude, raw and slyly romantic, the funniest sitcom of the year.”

Other long-form narrative projects include three series of the Rose D’Or nominated comedy thriller, Witless, for BBC Three and physical comedy, Mister Winner, which has clocked up 85 million views online for its carrier bag scene.

Most recently, Chaplin worked on BBC Two’s Alma’s Not Normal, a poignant comedy about a woman trying to get her life back on track after a break-up. The pilot was an instant hit, achieving 4 and 5 star reviews across the media with The Times calling it “Fleabag meets Shameless. Uplifting and strangely enchanting” and The Mirror saying, “Phoenix Nights meets Fleabag, guided by the spirit of Victoria Wood.” A full series has been commissioned and begins shooting in early 2021.

Chaplin stated, “I can’t believe I’ve convinced the guys at Sweetshop to sign me in the middle of a global pandemic. It’s exciting times for me (and hopefully them).”

Wilf Sweetland, Sweetshop chief executive officer and partner, added, “Andrew is a really exciting addition to our growing in London offering as we boost our creative capabilities for brands and agencies, while focusing on Sweetshop’s local-global approach.”