Tim Dawson (born 1988) is an English television comedy screenwriter. His first sitcom, Coming of Age, was piloted in 2007 and the first full series broadcast on BBC Three in 2008. A second series of 8 episodes is now in production for broadcast later this year. He has also written for Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
Coming of Age is a world first for TV comedy -- a sitcom about teenagers created and written by a teenager.
Jas, Ollie, Matt, Chloe and DK live in Abingdon. Their lives revolve around college, their bedrooms and, because they are always getting thrown out of the local pub, Ollie’s garden shed.
“I love sitcom,” said writer Tim Dawson. “So why isn’t there a show that talks about life from my perspective? That talks about being young -- openly, honestly, truthfully. And I mean properly young -- a teenager. Loving for the first time, turning cans into bongs, fancying your history teacher, dealing with those pesky unwanted erections-in-public places? Well -- now there is.”
“If you want a comedy depicting teens as pensioner-bashing sociopaths (sometimes understandable: old people can be really irritating), don’t watch! That’s not what we’re about. Coming of Age celebrates youth in a good way.
Coming Of Age stars five of the UK’s top young comedy actors -- Anabel Barnston as Chloe, Tony Bignell as Matt, Hannah Job as Jas, Ceri Phillips as Ollie, and Joe Tracini as DK. The show is directed by David Sant and produced by Stephen McCrum.
Offering tips and advice to Tim is comedy scripwriter Paul Mayhew-Archer, co-writer of The Vicar of Dibley, who also lives in Abingdon. He was giving a school talk when Tim introduced himself. From then on, Tim bombarded Mr Mayhew-Archer with sketches and scripts.
Mr Mayhew-Archer said: “I liked Tim’s work on Coming of Age and passed it on to a producer friend and my agent, who took Tim on.
“Tim has worked extensively on the script and it has now been made for BBC3. He is a remarkable talent and is obsessed with comedy.”
Mr Mayhew-Archer said Tim has earned himself a place in television history by becoming one of the youngest writers ever to have a TV sitcom pilot made.
He said: “All other television sitcom writers are in their late 20s or 30s before they get a script made.”
BBC television networks, Cheryl Taylor, and producer Stephen McCrum believe it has potential. Mr McCrum said: “Tim is extremely talented.
He’s not like buses that come along in threes. He’s a rare talent for a person so young.
8 part second series coming Autumn 2009
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 PM
I’m 18 and think this show is absolutely abysmal. Unfunny, childish and moronic. It saddens me that an idiot who managed to blag his way on BBC three because of a lack of youth oriented programming with a show that 11 year olds might find edgy is being hailed as an inspiring young person.
How about a truly talented writer like Daniel Kaluuya?
July 24th, 2009 at 2:43 AM
Hello, thank you for leaving your comments (offensive words will not be tolerated on this website therefore it was deleted). Tim Dawson is a positive young role model in my view, not only creating a very funny youth comedy sitcom but having the determination to follow his dreams up to reality. Being commissioned by one of the greatest TV Networks is a priceless achievement that alot of people can’t get.
By the way thanks for the recommendation, I’ll look into that. Feel free to contact me if you have anymore, it’s highly appreciated.
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:35 AM
1 am 16 and coming of age is absolutley funny to hell the characters are great my favourite is dk always rapping its the funniest show ever and the person who made it should get an oscar award
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:26 AM
Dk is my favourite aswell. I think they’re producing another series this year, cant wait!