When William Fenton (Heap) dies, his wife Debbie (French) doesn’t spend a lot of time grieving. She’s too busy thinking about the life insurance payout. There’s just one problem: William isn’t actually dead.

After a clerical error sees William declared deceased, the couple cook up a scheme. All he needs to do is camp out in the loft for a few months until the payout arrives, and both will be set for life. Their son Harry has to deal with the pair, who he comes to realise aren’t much more emotionally developed than his toddlers.   

The six-part series will be directed by Simon Hynd, having been written and created by Simon Mayhew-Archer.

“At last... a sitcom where I can keep my top on,” said Dawn. “Mostly.”

“Can You Keep a Secret? hilariously delves into a rarely portrayed stage of the family life cycle, blending classic sitcom elements with an exhilarating farcical crime twist,” said Jon Petrie, director of BBC comedy. “With Dawn French and Mark Heap leading the cast, this is an irresistible new comedy and I can’t wait for BBC viewers to see it.”

Further details will be announced in due course.