Two Complete Strangers. One Unexpected Journey. And A Friendship Neither Saw Coming. Ashley Jensen and Mark Bonnar are teaming up for a new BBC sitcom set against the stunning Scottish countryside. Rambling follows Cat and Gerry — one chaotic, one obsessively organised — as a walking trip shaped by loss and personal struggles slowly brings them closer. What begins as an awkward journey between two people who seem to have nothing in common gradually becomes a warm story about loneliness, grief and finding connection in the most unexpected place. A new Scottish comedy with a surprisingly heartfelt story.

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Ashley Jensen and Mark Bonnar Lead New BBC Sitcom Rambling

Ashley Jensen is returning to her comedy roots with Rambling, a new one-off BBC sitcom that pairs the Shetland star with Mark Bonnar for an unlikely journey through the Scottish countryside.

The half-hour special, made by The Comedy Unit for BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland and BBC One, follows two very different strangers whose walking trip gradually becomes something more meaningful. Set against the breathtaking — and sometimes rain-soaked — landscape of rural Scotland, the sitcom promises a mix of humour, warmth and more emotional themes surrounding loss, loneliness and human connection.

Ashley Jensen and Mark Bonnar stand by a lake, smiling and holding a clapperboard.

A Very Unlikely Pair

Written by Iain Connell, known for Burnistoun and The Scotts, and Sharon Young of The Scotts, Rambling centres on Gerry and Cat, two people who seem almost impossible to imagine travelling together.

Gerry, played by Mark Bonnar, is methodical and organised. He plans everything in advance and approaches his journey with a clear purpose: fulfilling a promise he made to his recently deceased brother.

Cat, portrayed by Ashley Jensen, could not be more different. She is spontaneous and chaotic, even managing to get lost on the way to a car park. After being removed from a walking group that was meant to give her a fresh start, she finds herself making the journey alone.

Yet as the pair continue walking and talking, their differences begin to give way to something they have in common. What starts as an unlikely partnership gradually becomes a story about two people discovering that they may understand each other more than they initially expected.

Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder in Shetland

Ashley Jensen Returns To Comedy

For Jensen, Rambling marks a return to BBC Comedy, an area that played an important role earlier in her career.

The actress, who is known for Extras, Ugly Betty and her role as DI Ruth Calder in Shetland, said she was delighted to reunite with the BBC Comedy unit for the project.

She described the script as “smart, honest, poignant, moving and funny,” highlighting its focus on loss, loneliness and the human need for connection. Jensen also expressed her excitement about working alongside Bonnar again and filming in the demanding Scottish landscape.

The two actors have previously appeared together in Catastrophe, making their reunion in Rambling another opportunity to explore their on-screen chemistry in a very different setting.

man in blue jacket leaning against window

Mark Bonnar Takes On A Very Different Role

Bonnar, whose credits include Guilt, Line of Duty and Catastrophe, plays Gerry, a character whose highly organised personality puts him at almost constant odds with Cat’s unpredictability.

The actor said he was excited by the opportunity to play someone unlike his previous roles and praised Connell and Young’s script. He also welcomed the chance to work with Jensen again, describing their reunion as another reason he was particularly pleased to join the project.

The contrast between Gerry and Cat is central to the show’s premise. Their personalities could hardly be further apart, but their shared journey gives them time to move beyond those differences.

A Comedy With More Than Just Laughs

Rambling - BBC Scotland sitcom - British Comedy Guide

Although Rambling is being presented as a feel-good Scottish sitcom, its story is rooted in themes that extend beyond the comedy.

Gerry is dealing with the loss of his brother and the promise he is determined to honour, while Cat is trying to move forward after a difficult experience with the walking group she had joined as a new beginning.

Their journey therefore becomes more than a simple walk through the countryside. As they spend more time together, the two begin to find common ground and form an unexpected connection.

BBC commissioning editor Gavin Smith described the programme as an “outdoorsy sitcom” filled with banter, while BBC Comedy commissioning editor Navi Lamba said the series uses the familiar comedy idea of bringing unlikely people together to create a relatable story.

When Will Rambling Be Released?

Rambling has been commissioned as a one-off 30-minute special by BBC Scotland and BBC Comedy. It is being produced by The Comedy Unit, with Iain Connell and Sharon Young writing, Ollie Parsons directing and Iain “Noddy” Davidson producing. Rab Christie serves as executive producer for The Comedy Unit.

The BBC has not yet confirmed an exact release date. The special will eventually be available on BBC iPlayer, as well as airing on BBC Scotland and BBC One.

With Jensen and Bonnar at the centre of a story built around an unlikely friendship, Rambling offers a gentler change of pace for both actors — combining the scenery and character of rural Scotland with comedy, grief and the possibility of finding connection in an unexpected place.