Big Boys: Channel 4 release date, trailer, and cast of Jack Rooke comedy with Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Pointing

Big Boys, a new sitcom about two mismatched university housemates, is arriving on Channel 4 on Thursday 26 May.

The series stars Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Pointing, and is based on the life and standup of writer Jack Rooke (who also narrates).

Here’s everything you need to know about Big Boys.

What is Big Boys about?

Big Boys is a broadly autobiographical comedy based on writer Jack Rooke’s experiences at university shortly after the death of his father.

It sees Rooke – here played by Derry Girls’ Dylan Llewellyn – living in unusual accommodation with the slightly-older Danny (Jon Pointing). The series is about the “unlikely friendship between sweet, shy, closeted Jack and boisterous, laddish and ever-so-slightly mature student Danny.”

The official synopsis goes on to explain that “Jack and Danny are at significantly different places on the spectrum of masculinity but closely bond during the inevitable chaos and frenzy of a first year.”

Who stars in Big Boys?

Dylan Llewellyn stars as Jack, a new university student still grieving his father. Llewellyn is best-known for playing James in Derry Girls, and can next be seen in a supporting role in Danny Boyle’s Sex Pistols biopic Pistol, which is coming to Disney+ on May 31.

Jon Pointing plays Danny, Jack’s boisterous and laddish new best friend. Pointing is best known for a lead role in the ITV2 sitcom Plebs, but you might also recognise him from appearances in Starstruck, Pls Like, and Zapped.

Katy Wix (Ghosts, Stath Lets Flats) plays an overzealous university student helper, Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point) as Jack and Danny’s friend Corinne, and Camille Coduri (Doctor Who) plays Jack’s mum.

Jack Rooke – best-known for standup shows like Good Grief and Love Letters – narrates the series.

Is there a trailer?

Yes, there is. You can watch it right here.

Who writes and directs Big Boys?

The series is written and created by Jack Rooke, based on his own life.

Big Boys was directed by Jim Archer, who previously directed episodes of The Young Offenders and Down from London.

You wouldn’t happen to have interviewed Jack Rooke about Big Boys, would you?

Funny you should ask! We recently interviewed Jack Rooke about the Big Boys’ five-year development process, how to write about grief in a healthy way, and why Dylan Llewellyn was the perfect choice to play his younger self.

Rooke also explained that he wanted Big Boys to be like a fusion of Chewing Gum and Desperate Housewives, and was influenced by his love of comedies like Derry Girls, Broad City, The Royle Family, and The Vicar of Dibley.

Where and how can I watch Big Boys?

Big Boys begins on Channel 4 on Thursday 26 May at 10pm with a double bill of episodes.

Every episode of Big Boys will be available to watch on All4, or you can continue watching double bills on Thursdays.

How many episodes is Big Boys?

Big Boys will be a total of six episodes, each around half an hour long.

Why should I watch Big Boys?

Because the opening episodes are very funny, you’ll want to see Dylan Llewellyn in something new once Derry Girls ends, and because Jack Rooke is quite a talented writer.