Soft Border Patrol is a format flexible enough to include a range of different writers. Through Keith and the ѿý NI Writersroom we were able to approach and engage with over a dozen writers.
Soft Border Patrol is a new Brexit-based comedy show set on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The show originated from the success of ѿý One Scotland's Scot Squad - a semi-improvised police-mockumentary produced by Glasgow-based indie the . They spoke to ѿý Northern Ireland who were keen to develop a similar type of show built around something distinctive to Northern Ireland.
ѿý Writersroom's Development Producer, Keith Martin, came on board and together they worked-up an idea about shadowing a fictional “Soft Border Patrol”- an independent organisation backed by London, Brussels, Dublin and Belfast. ѿý Northern Ireland commissioned three episodes which were broadcast in March 2018 on ѿý One Northern Ireland and ѿý iPlayer.
Through Keith and the ѿý Writersroom in Belfast the Comedy Unit were able to approach and engage with over a dozen writers who contributed a mix of stories, character pieces and one-liners.
Soft Border Patrol proved to be both very timely and successful with the audience. The hope is the show will return for a second series.