AS an actress, comedian, presenter and now a mum, Emily Atack is a very busy lady.
In between making racy Disney+ drama Rivals, she is also developing a new gameshow, all while raising her first baby.
Which might explain why the former Inbetweeners star has decided not to pursue another project she was developing — a reality series following her introduction to motherhood.
Emily, who gave birth to her first child just over a year ago, was in discussions about the show with Disney+ and the production company Boldprint Studios — but it was not to be.
Naked tennis
A TV insider said: “It’s not entirely clear why she didn’t pursue the show, particularly as it would have proved very lucrative to be working with the streaming giant.
“It would almost certainly have proved very popular with viewers too. But it’s fair to say she would have struggled time-wise to fit it in alongside all her other projects and, of course, her most important job of being a mother.”
Emily had baby Barney last June with her long-term partner Alistair Garner, and within months, she was juggling being a first-time parent with her TV work.
She’s just made a second series of Rivals, a Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s epic bonkbuster novel which debuted last year.
The eight-parter saw her appear alongside David Tennant and Aidan Turner and the sequel is expected to drop later this year or early in 2026.
Emily’s role in the show sees her play saucy Sarah Stratton, the second wife and former mistress of MP Paul Stratton.
One of her scenes helped Rivals land a nomination for a Bafta TV Moments Of The Year when she was seen playing naked tennis with central character Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell.
She is also teaming up with one of her Rivals co-stars, on a new gameshow in the pipeline for.
She is also teaming up with one of her Rivals co-stars, Danny Dyer, on a new gameshow in the pipeline for ITV.
It sounds like her son will be at school before she finds time for the motherhood show.
Keeley is killing it
SHE was all wicker baskets and bonnets in drama Miss Austen, but Keely Hawes is more blood and bullets in her new thriller.
The Assassin sees the actress shooting people, beating them up and even caving their heads in with rocks.
For proof, watch the action-packed trailer for the Prime Video show, from acclaimed screenwriters Jack and Harry Williams.
In the six-parter, out on July 25, Keeley is a retired assassin living in Greece, who goes on the run with her estranged son, played by Freddie Highmore.
Which, ironically, has echoes of another Keeley drama, The Durrells, where she played a housewife enjoying a twee existence in Corfu.
But, trust me, this is a very different show.
Up to the Task
THE 20th series of Taskmaster will feature Reece Shearsmith, Maisie Adam, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Phil Ellis and Ania Magliano, Channel 4 has announced.
Greg Davies and Alex Horne will once again host the show, which has yet to be given an air date.
Net doc on ship tragedy
NETFLIX has delivered some incredible documentaries this year, and it shows no sign of slowing down.
Next up is one about the Costa Concordia disaster of 2012, which saw a cruise ship sink off the coast of Italy.
Almost 4,300 people were on board and 32 people died in the tragedy.
The captain, Francesco Schettino, was later found guilty of manslaughter and also of abandoning his ship.
The show is certainly in safe hands with its producers Raw, who have a history of delivering top-class shows, with The Tinder Swindler among their previous successes.
Netflix’s documentary highlights so far this year include Attack on London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers as well as Grenfell: Uncovered.
Awards pair to re-Pete
FRESH FROM their win at the TRIC Awards for the Staying Relevant podcast, Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks are heading for another red carpet.
I can reveal that, following a show-stealing debut last year, the duo will once again host the opener of the National Television Awards.
They’ll offer a behind-the-scenes look and unfiltered interviews with the stars arriving at The O2 Arena in London for the bash on September 10.
Sam said: “We are absolutely buzzing. Every year, I have the time of my life – the energy and positivity on the day is always so great.
“I am genuinely excited to chat to the streams of TV legends and nominees coming down that carpet – bring it on!’
Pete added: “In all seriousness, it’s an honour to speak to so many talented people in the broadcast space on their big night of the year.”
Fred after fruitcake
FIRST Dates focuses on the love life of its host Fred Sirieix for once as it returns tonight.
The Channel 4 show celebrates the maitre d’s recent marriage to his other half Fruitcake and it is the first time she has appeared in the series.
I reckon he should get her a full-time job on the show.
Sally: I’m here to stay
CORONATION Street has seen an exodus of stars this year, with the likes of Colson Smith and Charlotte Jordan leaving the cobbles.
But Sally Carman, who plays Abi Webster, has vowed she won’t be following them.
Chatting to The Sun’s TV Mag, free in tomorrow’s paper, she said: “I see Corrie in my future and I hope that they do too.
“If it was to all end tomorrow, I would literally be going out with the biggest thank you, because I came in for six episodes and here I am.
“So there would be nothing but absolute gratitude. But let’s hope not just yet.”
Fans love Abi’s relationship with Kevin Webster.
Sally said: “Everyone’s like, ‘Don’t you dare cheat on Kevin!’”
