Having been in a tumultuous on-and-off again production period over the last 18 months, it appears as though there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel for the BBC's "Sugarless". Filming officially wrapped in March and Culture Uncut are delighted to share an exclusive first look at the highly anticipated show!
. Set in Sheffield, the show follows Theo Belfield as he tries to climb the societal ladder and give his life new meaning as he returns to the UK from his lavish, comfortable lifestyle in Italy after being dumped by his elderly "sugar daddy". Accompanied by a group of dysfunctional friends who are also trying to make sense of the world, "Sugarless" chronicles the love lives, aspirations and hardships of a chosen family who are all yearning for connection and happy endings. With a knack for finding the spectacular in the mundane and a habit of acting first while thinking later, Theo and company oftentimes find themselves in the most precarious and hysterical situations. Bouncing between steamy sexual exploits and heartfelt introspective realisations, "Sugarless" showcases both extremes of the pendulum and captures the raw and unfiltered experience of what it is like being a tiny human in this monolithic life.
Centre of attention, life and soul of the party and a severe case of main character syndrome; Theo has lived a charmed and easy life. On the surface, at least. Motivated by the material things in life and loving nothing more than creating memories with his friends, Theo prefers the rewards rather than the graft but in to gain them. Life is for living. He is an adventurous, thrill-seeking, extroverted soul trapped in a working class area with nothing going on but the rent. Even at that, payments are often late. Despite presenting as shallow and excessive, a different story begins to unfurl when that pesky reality creeps in. There's good reason behind his constant need for the limelight.
"Sugarless" isn't Blue-Conners' first attempt at acting. Although Weekend have dabbled in guest appearances over the years on shows such as
to name a few, Dustyn managed to nab a leading role for himself in the short-lived sci-fi series
back in 2012. Despite receiving acclaim and Blue-Conners' acting chops being lauded, the show was swiftly cancelled. Budget constraints and a network takeover were pushed as the explanation behind the quick demise of
, however, Dustyn revealed earlier this year that his much-documented battle with substance abuse in the early 2010's also played a huge part in the show's plug being pulled. While claiming to have always remained professional, Blue-Conners admitted that showrunners viewed him as a
.
Production difficulties appear to be a recurring theme with the TV shows Dustyn signs on to as "Sugarless" has also been plagued with delays. The show was initially tipped for a 2025 release but has since undergone major rewrites and reshoots. Dramatic cast changes have been pinpointed as the main root of the cause, with multiple actors being recast at the eleventh hour as well as a famous guest star allegedly being fired from the project. Script rewrites have also seen an apparent tonal shift within the show, dialling back on the raunch and focusing more on the comedic aspect as well as the sentiments of the friendship group.
arrive back in Sheffield after being dumped by his elderly sugar daddy over in Florence. Accustomed to taking over in any environment he waltzes into and getting his own way, he's ultimately taken aback when he discovers that his 'chosen family' have moved on without him and there's no room at the inn.
"Sugarless" is set to air in late 2026 on BBC One with guest appearances from Erich Hess, Kyle Tannehill, Bryan Williams and Malik Jarvez throughout the series, respectively.
SHEFFIELD. A BRUTALIST STYLE HOUSING ESTATE.
THE CAMERA FOCUSES IN ON THE BUSTED WHEEL OF A SUITCASE AS IT IS PULLED ACROSS THE CONCRETE WALKWAY, PANNING OUT TO REVEAL AN EXHAUSTED LOOKING THEO STILL DRESSED SHARPLY (BLACK SILK VALENTINO SHIRT, CROPPED GRAY WOOL TROUSERS, CALFSKIN LOAFERS) BUT WITH A CUT AND BRUISE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS FOREHEAD.
AN ATTRACTIVE YOUNG BLACK WOMAN WEARING AN EXTREMELY SHORT, TIGHT-FITTING MINISKIRT AND CROP TOP LEANS AGAINST THE BALCONY OUTSIDE ONE OF THE FLATS. SHE'S SMOKING A CIGARETTE. HEARING THE NOISE OF THE WHEELS, SHE TURNS AROUND TO FACE THEO. HER EYES WIDEN IN SHOCK AS HE APPROACHES.Candace: "Theo?!"
SHE STUBS HER CIGARETTE OUT AGAINST THE CONCRETE OF THE BUILDING AND TEETERS OVER IN HER HEELS TO EMBRACE HER FRIEND. THEY HUG.Theo: "The one and only! How are you Candace, babes?"
Candace: "As cunty as ever, love."
BREAKING AWAY FROM THE HUG, CANDACE THEN SMACKS THEO ON THE ARM.Theo: "Ouch! What did you do that for?!"
Candace: "Oh, you know just my best mate ditching me for a life in the sun and then not getting so much as a text in a year. What the fuck, Theo? You just dropped everybody. More importantly, I've been stuck with Suzie. I deserve a flaming Pride of Britain Award. The amount of times I've had to save her from choking because she will insist on not peeling a Babybel before she eats it."
Theo: "I know, I know. I'm sorry. I was preoccupied but I'm back now! And you know what they say; home is where the heart is."
Candace: "Mhm. And judging from the bollock growing on your forehead, I'm guessing there was trouble in paradise."
Theo: "Yeah, things went slightly
awry."
Candace: "You shagged someone, didn't you?"
Theo: "I shagged someone."
THE PAIR CHUCKLE SOFTLYTheo: "Oh look, C, I'm really sorry. The first waft of the finest Italian
peanut griggy-oh and I was swept away. Do you still love me? Hm?"
Candace: "You know, I must have "MUG" written across my forehead in capital letters but yeah, yeah I do. I've bloody missed you. Dickhead."
Theo: "I've missed you too. So what's been going on with you? Still on the game?"
ALERTED, CANDACE GRABS THEO BY THE ARM AND PULLS HIM CLOSER TO THE BALCONY, AWAY FROM THE FRONT WINDOW OF HER HOME.Candace: "Fucking Hell. Any louder, babe? Don't want my mum hearing. And no, I've given up that caper. It's not for me anymore. Not since that incident with the pineapple. Couldn't sit down or stand up straight for weeks."
Theo: "And how did you explain that to everyone? You know, walking with your minge in parentheses?"
Candace: "I just put it down to a case of rickets."
Theo: "That came and went in a matter of weeks?"
Candace: "Well, I went to Lourdes, didn't I? I tell you something, that holy water works wonders on a battered fanny. Made a whole big deal about it. Was featured in The Sheffield Shout and everything. Page 19, if you don't mind."
Theo: "I've always thought you'd be a miracle recognised by the church one day. Speaking of, does our modern day Holiness have room at the inn? You wouldn't believe it because of this highly expensive outfit which clings to and highlights my toned yet naturally petite frame, but I'm technically homeless."
Candace: "Ah, well, actually hun..."
THE FRONT DOOR OF THE FLAT OPENS. A SWEATY, RED-FACE MIDDLE AGED MAN WITH A PRONOUNCED BEER BELLY DRESSED IN A WHITE ELVIS PRESLEY JUMPSUIT COMPLETE WITH DYED SLICK BACKED BLACK HAIR APPEARS. DESPITE DRESSING LIKE THE AMERICAN SUPERSTAR, HE SPEAKS IN A STRONG SHEFFIELD ACCENT.Keith: "I've got some fried Spam on the go. You wanting a nice butty, love?"
Candace: "Aw, thanks Keith but I'm slimming. Double up on your tinned meat on my behalf."
Keith: "Fair enough. I'll get back to it. The meaty marvel awaits!"
CANDACE FORCES A LAUGH AS KEITH STEPS BACK INSIDE AND CLOSES THE DOOR. THEO TURNS TO HER WITH A RAISED EYEBROW.Theo: "PLEASE don't tell me your mum is shacking up with him!"
Candace: "NO! That's just Keith. He's our new lodger. We needed the extra income after you jetted off. Plus you know what mum's like. She's a soft touch. He's a bit of an oddity but he's harmless."
Theo: "And the Elvis thing?"
Candace: "Oh, he's an impersonator down at The Pig & Whistle. He's not on until Saturday, though..."
Theo: "Impersonator? With that belly? What's his going rates? He does know that "Love Me Tender" isn't about chicken strips, right?"
THE PAIR LAUGH AND THE DOOR OPENS ONCE MORE. THIS TIME, NARINDER, A BEAUTIFUL MIDDLE-AGED SOUTH ASIAN WOMAN WITH LONG BLACK HAIR GROWING PROMINENTLY SILVER AT THE ROOTS STEPS OUT.Narinder: "Ah!!! Theo, darling! How are you?! When Keith said Candace was talking to a handsome little fella with a suitcase, my mind immediately went to you and BOOF, it is you! Awwww honey, I've missed you!"
Theo: "Aw, hiya, Naz! I've missed you too, sweetheart."
THE PAIR EXCHANGE A HUG. THEO PLASTERS ON A SMILE AS HIS EYES ARE DRAWN TOWARDS NARINDER'S HAIR AS SHE HAS SEEMINGLY GIVEN UP THE HAIR DYE.Theo: "Wow, I'm...I'm loving the new look! It's like Mona Lisa meets Cruella De Vil meets Mr. Badger. Your pop culture references never stop! Soooo cutting edge!"
Narinder: "Aw, thank you, darling! Just thought I'd try something different. Go
au naturel, you know? Enough about me, enough about me. What's going on with you, sweetheart? Last I heard you were sunning it up in Florence."
Candace: "Look at the suitcase and the sadness in his eyes that you only see in European porn. He obviously got dumped, mum."
Narinder: "Oh, I am sorry, love."
Theo: "I left him, actually. I walked in on him trying to get freaky with his pooch. Peanut butter all over that deep shag carpet. A travesty."
Narinder: "Goodness. Well, good for you, hun! Shouldn't have to stand for that."
Theo: "Yeah so I'm getting back on my feet. Though I'm guessing I can't exactly pick up where I left off? I've met Keith."
Narinder: "Sorry, sweetie. We didn't think you'd be coming back. It'd be quite a tight squeeze. More than happy to give you the couch but it's leather."
Theo: "I only do sweaty leather on DILF Saturdays, I'm afraid. No worries, Naz. I'm sure I'll find somewhere else. Sure someone with a kind heart will take me in and let me watch that programme about suicide that I plan on watching tonight..."
Narinder: "Oh dear..."
Candace: "Wait. Speaking of couches, Callum practically lives on his. I'm sure he and Suzie have the room."
Narinder: "Oh yeah, that's a good shout. I'm sure they would have you in a heartbeat, love."
THEO NARROWS HIS EYES AND SPEAKS THROUGH GRITTED TEETH, OBVIOUSLY NOT KEEN ON THE IDEA.Theo: "Yeah, good shout, C."
THE BEEPING NOISE OF A FIRE ALARM IS HEARD FROM INSIDE THE HOME. KEITH POPS HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW AND CALLS OUT.Keith: "Naz, I've done it again with those bastard mushrooms!"
Narinder: "Best go. Listen, love, you keep me updated, yeah? If you really can't find a place then I'm sure I can make some adjustments. Just keep me in the loop. You take care, handsome."
Theo: "Aw thanks, Naz."
NARINDER AND THEO HUG BEFORE SHE RETURNS INSIDE TO DEAL WITH THE KITCHEN EMERGENCY. ONCE THE DOOR SHUTS, IT'S THEO'S TURN TO WHACK CANDACE ON THE ARM.Theo: "Thanks for that! Slow Suzie and her alcohol soaked dad? His brain is like scrambled egg.
Her brain is like scrambled egg!"
Candace: "I know but we love her really."
Theo: "I guess. Well, I'm desperate. I mean, how bad can it be?"
THEO AND CANDACE EXCHANGE A PENSIVE LOOK BEFORE HE WHIMPERS AND RESTS HIS HEAD ON HER SHOULDER.
