BBC orders 'Charlie Cooper's Myth Country' Christmas special

Charlie Cooper will investigate winter festivals across the country in an “alternative” Christmas special of his hit BBC3 series Myth Country.

Produced by Naked West, Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country: Winter Solstice will see the This Country co-creator and star hitting the road in his yellow campervan to explore the UK’s pagan past and gain a better understanding of the winter solstice.

His travels will bring him to the Barrel Burning festival in Devon’s Ottery Saint Mary which has been celebrated since the 17th century and which involves residents lighting barrels of tar and running through the streets in a bid to protect their town from malevolent forces.
Cooper will also take part in Morris dancing in Gloucestershire as part of his solstice examinations.

The 1 x 30-minute special was commissioned for BBC3 and iPlayer by Catherine Catton, senior head of commissioning, and Nasfim Haque, head of content for BBC3. The series is made by Fremantle label Naked West, with Tom O’Brien and John Comerford exec producing, and Rob Gill serving as series produce director. Patrick McMahon serves as commissioning editor for the BBC.

The commission comes in the wake of the success of the debut series of Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country, which launched in October. The first of its three episodes accumulated a 28-day consolidated audience of 1.4m for individuals 4+.

Haque said: “Audiences will be delighted that Charlie is back for a solstice special after his first outing attracted so much love. Charlie getting the inside track from unique festivals across the UK is going to be the perfect winter warmer.”

O’Brien said: “Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country immediately connected with a large and engaged audience on the BBC. We’re excited to bring it back for another look at a special moment in the year’s calendar - one steeped in lore, tradition and storytelling. Charlie will continue to feed his passion for the weird and the wonderful.”