The high-concept sitcom follows longtime married couple Debbie (Dawn French) and William Fendon (Mark Heap), who attempt to pull off lucrative life insurance fraud after the latter is mistakenly declared dead.
The latter part of the story hits close to home for creator Simon Mayhew-Archer, whose father Paul (a fellow screenwriter known for The Vicar of Dibley) is currently living with Parkinson's – but keeping a comical outlook on his experience.
In an interview with RadioTimes.com, Heap explained: "Paul makes light of it himself as a way of coping and just because he's a nice bloke and finds the humour in things.
Can You Keep a Secret? co-star French interjected: "[But] Debbie doesn't let him get away with much of it."
Co-star Mandip Gill, who plays daughter-in-law Neha, added: "He's telling it in a really truthful way for what he sees happening at home... There's so many layers to these health conditions that it would be unfair to say it's all doom and gloom."
Similarly, Roberts praised the show for depicting mental health issues in a realistic way that acknowledges how life can still be "fun" (as well as mundane).
Can You Keep a Secret? premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday 7th January 2026.
Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
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