Certified

Tom Walsh is fed up. Destructive relationships and a tedious life in Yorkshire, he craves happiness. When he meets the older, sharp-witted Dawn it propels him on a journey of unexpected births, hapless weddings, and bizarre deaths. Can they survive the absurdities of life, love and loss together?

Certified is a six-part comedy-drama series adapted from my award-winning novel, blending humour with emotional depth as it follows the life of Tom Walsh. Set in the Yorkshire Dales, Tom’s journey is shaped by a series of births, weddings, and funerals, some absurd, others deeply poignant. Raised in the quiet market town of Settle, Tom is abandoned by his father at age ten, leading him to believe that happiness lies in a "big city." His hopes seem to be realised when he meets the sharp-witted Dawn in Leeds, but life's milestones continue to pull him back to Settle.

As Tom and Dawn navigate a whirlwind of bizarre events, Dawn learns about Tom’s troubled past—his father’s abandonment, his relationships with ex-girlfriends Louise and Susan, and his deep bond with his best friend Big Mac and his dog, Bonnie. As Tom grapples with these challenges, Dawn realises that, despite his efforts to escape, his heart remains tied to Settle. With the help of Big Mac and an eccentric clairvoyant, she sets out to bring Tom back to where he truly belongs.

The series is filled with outlandish moments—two births in one day, a Scooby-Doo wedding vehicle, a dog burial with a JCB, and even a mistaken encounter with Justin Timberlake’s stag party. But beneath the comedy lies emotional depth and heartache, including Tom’s difficult reconciliations with his estranged father and the tragic loss of loved ones like Bonnie and Susan.

Certified is a heartfelt exploration of family, relationships, and friendship, balancing absurdity with moments of emotion and heartbreak. It evokes the spirit of beloved shows like Only Fools and Horses, while offering a distinctive narrative rich in character-driven storytelling.