A new comedy drama series starring Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan - which was partly filmed in St Albans, Potters Bar and Hertford - arrives on Sky on New Year's Day.

Herts Advertiser: Katherine Ryan as Allison, Romesh Ranganathan as Deacon and Johnny Vegas as their boss Alfie in Sky's Romantic Getaway.Katherine Ryan as Allison, Romesh Ranganathan as Deacon and Johnny Vegas as their boss Alfie in Sky's Romantic Getaway. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

The popular comedians couple up as Deacon and Allison for Romantic Getaway, coming to Sky Comedy and NOW from Sunday, January 1, 2023.

The first episode can be seen on Sky Comedy and Sky Showcase on January 1 at 9pm, followed by episode two airing straight after at 9.30pm. 

All episodes are available to binge on Sky now.

Herts Advertiser: Romesh Ranganathan in front of the camera in St Albans during filming of Sky's Romantic Getaway.Romesh Ranganathan in front of the camera in St Albans during filming of Sky's Romantic Getaway. (Image: Laura Bill)

Containing very strong language from the outset, scenes of the brand-new Sky Original comedy drama were filmed in St Albans, Potters Bar and Hertford earlier this year.

Co-stars Katherine Ryan and Romesh Ranganathan were spotted filming together in Pageant Road, St Albans, back in May.

Although Romantic Getaway is set in Berkshire, a property in the St Albans street doubles for the couple's terraced home in the series.

Herts Advertiser: Katherine Ryan and Romesh Ranganathan filming Sky's Romantic Getaway in St Albans.Katherine Ryan and Romesh Ranganathan filming Sky's Romantic Getaway in St Albans. (Image: Laura Bill / Archant 2022)

Residents familiar with the area will recognise the location, with the pub sign for the White Hart Tap noticeable at the entrance to the street in one direction and St Albans Cathedral's tower visible in the distance at the other end of the road.

The Sky series also stars Benidorm and Murder, They Hope favourite Johnny Vegas and Phaldut Sharma, who has appeared in Gavin & Stacey, Unforgotten, and EastEnders. 

Phaldut Sharma plays Deacon's creepy 'Uncle' Kethan, while Johnny Vegas is Deacon's dodgy boss, Alfie Bower.

An office in Hemel Hempstead doubles for the exterior of Alfie's property company.

Herts Advertiser:  Phaldut Sharma as Kethan and Johnny Vegas as Alfie in Sky's Romantic Getaway. Phaldut Sharma as Kethan and Johnny Vegas as Alfie in Sky's Romantic Getaway. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

As well as St Albans, location filming of series one of Romantic Getaway also took place in Hertfordshire in Potters Bar and the county town of Hertford.

Production crews were spotted in Potters Bar High Street last June, and in Romantic Getaway Romesh Ranganathan and Canadian-born comedian Katherine Ryan are seen walking down the road in the direction of The Walk, after coming out of a pharmacy.

Romesh Ranganathan was also seen filming in Ladbrooke Drive, Potters Bar, in June.

Some scenes featuring Phaldut Sharma, as Kethan, on the phone to Deacon were filmed near the Gascoyne Way Car Park, in Hertford.

Herts Advertiser: Romesh Ranganathan as Deacon and Katherine Ryan as Allison make their getaway in Sky's Romantic Getaway in a scene filmed at Hertford East railway stationRomesh Ranganathan as Deacon and Katherine Ryan as Allison make their getaway in Sky's Romantic Getaway in a scene filmed at Hertford East railway station (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

Hertford East railway station in the town was another filming location for the series, with the show's four main stars - Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Phaldut Sharma and Johnny Vegas - all rushing into the train terminus following a chase scene in the closing episode.

Filming also took place along Fore Street and outside Hertford House, renamed The Grand Berkshire Hotel for scenes in episode six. 

Allison's sister Esme, played by Harrie Hayes, is seen walking down the road lugging a suitcase and entering the town centre hotel.

Herts Advertiser: Johnny Vegas as Alfie and Phaldut Sharma as Kethan at the train station in Sky series Romantic Getaway.Johnny Vegas as Alfie and Phaldut Sharma as Kethan at the train station in Sky series Romantic Getaway. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

Romantic Getaway is a six-part modern Bonnie and Clyde heist story, and Sky viewers will not have long to wait to see a small part of St Albans on screen. 

The city first appears in the opening five minutes of episode one as baby-wanting couple Deacon and Allison drive home following stealing money from their boss.

Herts Advertiser: Filming of Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan series Romantic Getaway in St Albans.Filming of Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan series Romantic Getaway in St Albans. (Image: Laura Bill)

Pageant Street, in fact, features in scenes throughout the six-part series, with the police even pulling up outside the couple's front door.

Johnny Vegas and Phaldut Sharma's characters also arrive in the street in the final episode.

 

What is Romantic Getaway about?

After countless IVF attempts, desperate couple Allison (Katherine Ryan) and Deacon (Romesh Ranganathan) are faced with the possibility it might not happen.

They are unable to afford more rounds, and with mounting debts the pressure on the relationship begins to show.

What is their solution? To steal from their boss. Now they must avoid getting caught...

In real life, Katherine Ryan was pregnant when filming took place.

Herts Advertiser: Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan in a behind the scenes shot during filming of Sky series Romantic Getaway.Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan in a behind the scenes shot during filming of Sky series Romantic Getaway. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

Romantic Getaway is a comedy drama series beginning directly after Deacon and Allison have defrauded their dodgy boss, Alfie (Johnny Vegas), of '£50,000'.

However, unknown to Allison, Deacon secretly adds an extra nought to the bank transfer, and actually steals half a million quid.

Herts Advertiser: Katherine Ryan as Allison and Romesh Ranganathan as Deacon in Sky's Romantic Getaway.Katherine Ryan as Allison and Romesh Ranganathan as Deacon in Sky's Romantic Getaway. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

The series kicks off with the couple sat in their car, buzzing with adrenaline. 

But after the buzz wears off, they must not only contend with the gruelling process of IVF, but also have to figure out how to use the money without getting found out.

It's a challenge that draws them deep into the criminal underworld of Reading, with baggage drops in Jersey, smuggling fake passports, blackmail, stolen vehicles, car chases and more adding to their troubles.

Herts Advertiser: Romesh Ranganathan as Deacon and Katherine Ryan as Allison make their getaway in Sky's Romantic Getaway.Romesh Ranganathan as Deacon and Katherine Ryan as Allison make their getaway in Sky's Romantic Getaway. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

In episode two, as Allison starts IVF, pressure mounts on the couple.

Deacon asks his 'uncle' to help launder the money they've pinched from Alfie.

Meanwhile, HMRC launch an investigation at Alfie's firm, compounding Deacon's problems.

Herts Advertiser: Johnny Vegas as Alfie in Sky's Romantic Getaway.Johnny Vegas as Alfie in Sky's Romantic Getaway. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)

The series is produced by Ranga Bee and Sky Studios and written and created by Romesh Ranganathan and Benjamin Green, with additional writers Sarah Morgan and Elaine Gracie. 

It is directed by Shaun Wilson and produced by Caroline Norris.

The executive producers are Benjamin Green, Romesh Ranganathan and Michelle Farr-Scott for Ranga Bee and Anil Gupta and Jon Mountague for Sky Studios.

Herts Advertiser: Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan and Johnny Vegas star in Romantic Getaway on Sky.Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan and Johnny Vegas star in Romantic Getaway on Sky. (Image: Sky UK Ltd)