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Exclusive: Since being launched in 2017 by a quartet including Jesse Armstrong, Various Artists Limited (Val) has made shows ranging from Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You to Julia Davis’ Sally 4Ever, but bosses now see the comedy landscape heading in a somewhat different direction.

Fresh off the back of Sunday’s BAFTA win for Kat Sadler’s BBC comedy Such Brave Girls, head honcho Phil Clarke and comedy boss Jack Bayles are talking up the return of the sitcom in a landscape beset by budget woes and risk aversion that is nonetheless continuing to birth breakouts.

“The word we are getting from broadcasters is they want more traditional sitcoms with ‘A, B, C’ storylines and bigger characters,” Bayles tells Deadline. “We’ve been through this amazing era of drama and people have got so used to seeing that scale and ambition but trying to compete with that in half-hour,...

Exclusive: BAFTA-nominated British comedy Such Brave Girls is returning for a second season.

The BBC has reordered the series, which plays on Hulu in the U.S. and is from Various Artists Ltd and A24.

Such Brave Girls follows Josie (Kat Sadler), her sister Billie (Lizzie Davidson) and their mum Deb (Louise Brealey), as they attempt to claw their way towards a better life. Per the synopsis: “Armed only with an ability to see the line and boldly step over it, these very brave girls finally have a chance to explore themselves.”

Season 1 of the show launched last year, as a loosely autobiographical story about dysfunctional family life. Sadler and her real-life sister Davidson star. Further casting and launch details on the six-part season 2 will follow.

Such Brave Girl’s writer and creator Kat Sadler recently picked up a BAFTA Craft award for Emerging Talent, Fiction. “It’s a sick...

“Game of Thrones” star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau wants to save the world from all manner of existential threats – including cynicism – in his new unscripted series for Bloomberg Originals.

Variety has an exclusive first look at the trailer for “An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet,” a six-episode series that chooses to focus not on problems but solutions to some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time.

The series follows Coster-Waldau and his team as they travel the globe in search of ideas that inspire optimism for the future. Sustainable food growth, carbon neutral jet fuel, tiny worms that can break down plastics and more are explored in countries including Greenland, Australia, United States, Japan, Vietnam and Kenya.

“I’ve always felt like sometimes the good stories get lost. The focus is often on the end of the world,” Coster-Waldau said. “This show inspires me and gives me a belief that there...

Peep Show creators Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong have received investment from BBC Worldwide for their fledgling production company Various Artists Limited. Earlier this year, the pair joined forces in the venture with former Channel 4 exec Phil Clarke, responsible for commissioning Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's Catastrophe, and This Is England commissioner Roberto Troni. Bain and Armstrong have also written shows including Fresh Meat and Ill Behaviour as well as…...

Iranian-American film-maker and actor to make scripted comedy for Channel 4.

Channel 4 has commissioned an original scripted comedy from Desiree Akhavan, the Us film-maker and actor behind acclaimed Sundance 2014 feature Appropriate Behaviour.

The Bisexual will look at the difference of dating men and women from the perspective of a person who finds herself doing both.

Akhavan, who wrote the series with Cecilia Frugiuele (Appropriate Behaviour) and will direct the 6 x 30-minute episodes, will also star as New Yorker Leila who is feeling lost in London.

Following a break up from girlfriend Sadie, she moves in with a British guy who becomes her unlikely wingman and helps her navigate dating men.

The Bisexual was commissioned for Channel 4 by Nerys Evans, deputy head of comedy, and Phil Clarke, acting head of drama and head of comedy,

Evans said: “Desiree has such a brilliantly unique viewpoint on finding love in your 30s. We love her...

Rob Leane Jul 12, 2016

Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan's excellent relationship comedy Catastrophe will be back for two further series...

Prepare yourself for lots of Catastrophe. Channel 4 has opted to renew Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan's comedy series for not one, not three, but two further series.

For any other series this double-renewal would be a massive surprise, but it makes a fair bit of sense here, considering that Channel 4 squeezed in two six-episode series of Catastrope last year.

Phil Clarke - comedy king at Channel 4 - had this to say:

"I am thrilled to commission a third and fourth series of the multi award-winning Catastrophe. It’s a welcome return for the brave, razor edged, excruciatingly honest and painfully funny portrayal of a modern, long term relationship."

Stars and writers Horgan and Delaney chimed in with this joint statement:

"We are thrilled to be making a third series of Catastrophe.

Just as word emerged that Channel 4 Head of Drama Piers Wenger is defecting to the BBC to become its new drama chief, Channel 4 announced that Beth Willis will replace him at the broadcaster. Willis has been Deputy Head of Drama at C4 since 2012, working in concert with Wenger. As she is due for maternity leave this summer, Willis’ post will be held warm by C4 Head of Comedy Phil Clarke as acting Head of Scripted. The moves come at a time of great executive shifts at the…...

Netflix has announced that the one-hour Derek special will be made available for streaming on Friday, April 3rd. A shorter version aired in the UK last month.

Though Netflix doesn't mention it in the press release, this holiday special will serve as the ending of the Derek TV show. Star/creator Ricky Gervais said, "I did toy with a third series, particularly after the Emmy nod, but I decided to stick to my usual formula of two series and a special. It's a bittersweet experience as always. I'm sorry to end it but I know that leaving something you love and starting something else is always the best thing to do creatively."

Prior to the special airing last month, Channel 4's Phil Clarke, said "Christmas seems a wonderfully fitting time for us to bid farewell to Derek, a show that truly celebrates generosity and goodwill."...

Olivia Colman and Julian Barratt are to star in a Channel 4 comedy pilot.

Flowers will see the pair play parents to twentysomething twins.

The sitcom will follow the dysfunctional family and their live-in help, played by series writer Will Sharpe.

Head of Comedy at Channel 4 Phil Clarke said to The Guardian: "It is really dark, funny and challenging - everything a Channel 4 family sitcom should be.

"It's possibly the most dysfunctional family you will ever come across and yet somehow they still manage to function as a family. The humour is very dark but at times it's really broad as well. It's a very original piece - I don't think there's anything like it anywhere else."

Clarke also said that the pilot could very much be seen as a "classic sitcom".

"They have twins, a son and a daughter, the nanny lives at the house as well...

Toast of London has been renewed for a third series by Channel 4.

The announcement coincides with the second series finale, which airs tonight (December 8) at 10.35pm.

Channel 4's Head of Comedy Phil Clarke said: "Channel 4 has always backed original comedy, the type of shows you wouldn't find anywhere else, and Toast of London represents a significant new chapter in that story, and in our comedy heritage."

Toast of London follows Steven Toast, a classically-trained actor living in Soho, as he tries to get the relationship, job and life he thinks he deserves.

The comedy is co-written by Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews, and stars Berry, Doon Mackichan and Robert Bathurst.

Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme will star as himself in tonight's series finale, which is titled 'Fool in Love'.

Last month, it was announced that the series is up for six awards at the...

Channel 4 has confirmed that the Derek finale will air in December.

Ricky Gervais's comedy drama will come to an end with a one-off special episode over the Christmas period.

The episode will feature Derek (Gervais) now dating Tracey, while still working at the retirement home. However, Hannah (Kerry Godliman) is now at a new job closer to home with partner Tom (Brett Goldstein).

Channel 4's Head of Comedy Phil Clarke said: "Christmas seems a wonderfully fitting time for us to bid farewell to Derek, a show that truly celebrates generosity and goodwill."

Gervais previously indicated that he was considering either a special or a third series of the comedy.

He said: "I did toy with a third series, particularly after the Emmy nod, but I decided to stick to my usual formula of two series and a special. It's a bittersweet experience as always.

"I'm sorry to...

Julia Davis returns to Channel 4 in 2015 with a new comedy series spoofing breakfast television.

Davis will star as daytime TV icon Gail Sinclair, who suddenly finds her career and TV ratings on the slide.

The press release reveals: "After eight glorious years of high ratings and winning awards, things begin to go wrong for Sinclair when the programme begins to lose viewers and tensions break out within the production team."

The six-episode series is written by Davis and has been commissioned by Channel 4's head of comedy Phil Clarke.

Davis is famous for her work on BBC Three's Nighty Night, Sky Atlantic's award-winning Hunderby and Gavin & Stacey.

The series will be directed by How Not to Live Your Life's Dan Clark.

Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror will return to Channel 4 later this year for a Christmas special.

Described as the "most chilling and mind-bending" show yet, the feature-length one-off episode will feature three interwoven stories of "Yuletide techno-paranoia".

Brooker, the creator and head writer of the series, said: "I always enjoy a good ghost story at Christmas, and I'm a sucker for the Amicus' compendium horror movies of the '70s. Our aim is to create the Black Mirror equivalent of that."

Channel 4's head of comedy Phil Clarke added: "I'm delighted that we have a Black Mirror special this Christmas.

"Charlie Brooker has penned a dystopian future festive tale, that intertwines three stories to deliver a dramatic and thrilling twist. It's satirical, comic, disturbing, and thought-provoking. Not to be missed."

As reported earlier this year, a full series comprised of the traditional three episodes is still in line...

Drifters has been renewed for a second series.

The broadcaster's chief creative officer Jay Hunt announced at this year's annual report that the sitcom was part of the channel's aim to "foreground female voices".

Chief executive David Abraham also named the comedy as one of his "standout moments" of 2013.

Jessica Knappett's show debuted in October last year, attracting around 500,000 viewers on average. Lydia Rose Bewley and Lauren O'Rourke also starred.

Head of comedy Phil Clarke said of Knappett: "Her writing gets stronger and stronger, and she was a different writer at the end of that series than she had been at the beginning."

Inbetweeners Movie star Knappett previously confirmed that she was writing a second series back in January.

She said: "I'm tempting fate a bit, but I've started writing it just in case. It's looking good and I want to be ahead of the game if it happens.

Digital Spy has an exclusive clip from Derek series two.

In the second run's opening scene, Derek (Ricky Gervais) encounters his nemesis - a giant spider - and calls on his pal Dougie (Karl Pilkington) for help.

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Kerry Godliman and David Earl also reprise their roles in the new series, which follows 2012's pilot and a six-part run in 2013.

Derek was recommissioned by Channel 4 back in March last year, with Channel 4's Head of Comedy Phil Clarke calling the show "brave, funny and touching".

"Derek is probably my favourite thing of everything I've done, so I can't wait to start thinking up some new adventures for the gang," Gervais added.

The second series of Derek begins April 23 on Channel 4, and will be available to Us residents via Netflix from May 30.

Charlie Brooker has defended his BBC Two show Weekly Wipe.

A Twitter user branded the programme "lazy" after Brooker announced that tonight's (February 13) sixth episode would be a compilation of previously aired footage, as well as new material.

Brooker tweeted: "We do 5 regular eps then a comp ep because that's what we're commissioned to do, btw. So the 'new' stuff is on the house. That's My Spin."

The broadcaster then shared a comment he had received from a follower, which read: "F**king hate it when people do that. Lazy. I will not be watching."

Brooker joked: "We chiefly do the comp for the positive viewer feedback."

In a series of tweets, he went on to explain that for a longer run of the series to be possible, they would have to greatly expand the production team and alter the show's format.

He said: "To produce the material we currently...

Black Mirror could return to Channel 4 later this year.

Channel 4's head of comedy Phil Clarke told Radio Times that he hopes to have a Black Mirror one-off film to transmit in late 2014.

A full series - comprised of the traditional three episodes - would then follow in 2015.

"That is definitely the hope," said Clarke. "Though of course a lot depends on whether Charlie Brooker finds the time to do them."

Brooker - creator and chief writer of the series - revealed last month that fans could expect two "helpings" of Black Mirror in the near future.

"There will be more - I don't think I'm allowed to say quite when," he told Lauren Laverne on her BBC Radio 6Music show.

"There's going to be some and then there's going to be some more - you'll get one helping and then there'll be another helping."

Charlie Brooker:...

Channel 4 has announced three new comedy pilot commissions for 2014.

Flack, Catastrophe and Sit.com will join the channel's lineup next year, alongside several returning comedies.

Flack, which began filming this month, stars Sheridan Smith as a woman struggling to keep her life on track while dealing with the outrageous problems of her celebrity PR clients.

Twitter comedian Rob Delaney and Pulling actress Sharon Horgan co-wrote and will also star as the lead characters in Catastrophe, a comedy about an American man and an Irish woman who embark on a relationship in London and "make a bloody mess" along the way.

Written and directed by David Baddiel, Sit.com is billed as a traditional family sitcom with a twist. The comedy will take a look at the infiltration of technology into people's everyday lives.

Both Catastrophe and Sit.com will start filming in early 2014 and are produced by Avalon for Channel 4.

The new series of Fresh Meat will premiere on 4oD a week before launching on Channel 4.

The first episode of the Channel 4 comedy-drama's third series will be available online from Monday, October 28 at 10pm and will air on Channel 4 on Monday, November 4 at 10pm.

Watch a Digital Spy exclusive clip from the first episode below:

Channel4.com is also launching Fresh Meat Unlocked - an immersive, online experience with exclusive filmed and interactive content and advice about Uni life.

Fresh Meat Unlocked will be available at www.channel4.com/freshmeat 30 minutes after the 4oD premiere, with bespoke content for each new episode.

Devised by Peep Show creators Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, Fresh Meat stars Jack Whitehall, Zawe Ashton, Greg McHugh, Kimberley Nixon, Charlotte Ritchie and Joe Thomas.

> Peep Show to come to an end, says Channel 4 comedy boss Phil Clarke

> David Mitchell on Peep Show...

David Mitchell has confirmed that Peep Show could soon be "winding down".

Channel 4's head of comedy Phil Clarke recently announced that talks are under way about how to conclude the sitcom.

Mitchell - who plays Mark Corrigan - told Digital Spy that there is "certainly a possibility" that Peep Show's ninth series will be its last.

"They're getting older, you know, and they're a bit old to be sharing a flat together," said the actor and comic.

"It's always been heightened reality, but it's always been a credible reality on Peep Show and I think if it got to a stage where people were saying, 'I don't understand why these people are cohabiting', then it would've jumped the shark.

"So I think we've got to contemplate the possibility of it winding down. But who knows, 20 years later, they might come back together in old age."

Mitchell also suggested...

There's no mountain we won't climb in order to bring you hot gossip on all your favourite shows here in the Tube Talk Q&A.

Remember the dark days when you used to sit around weeping because you had no idea what time - oh, what's a really archaic show? Peak Practice! - because you had no idea what time Peak Practice was on? Those days are ancient history, friends, and it's all because of us! Look at what stuff we've found out this week...

The new Homeland trailers look great - when is it back on?

Soon! As us lot at the Tube Talk Q&A predicted a few weeks back, Homeland's third season will premiere on Channel 4 on Sunday, October 6 at 9pm - just one week after Us transmission, as with season two.

Season three sounds like a cracker too, with Brody (Damian Lewis) on the...

'Peep Show' is to be axed. Phil Clarke, Channel 4's Head of Comedy, has confirmed the long-running sitcom is going to be ''rounded off'' and he is currently in talks with creators Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong - who have gone on to make 'Fresh Meat' - about the best way to suitably finish off the programme. Speaking to Chortle, he said: ''We're talking about 'Peep Show', how that's going to be rounded off. The discussion is about how it's going to conclude.'' The popular programme, which follows the lives of two flatmates, Mark Corrigan - who is played by David Mitchell...

Channel 4's head of comedy has confirmed that Peep Show will soon come to an end.

Although a ninth series of the show - starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb - has been commissioned, Phil Clarke told Chortle that he is currently in discussions with creators Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong to work out when and how the show will conclude.

> Robert Webb interview: 'We'll do Peep Show for as long as they let us'

"We're talking about Peep Show, how that's going to be rounded off," said Clarke. "The discussion is about how it's going to conclude."

Clarke also confirmed that Channel 4 is working on a new project with The It Crowd creator Graham Linehan.

"He's got something else in that he's working with us on," he added. "So hopefully you'll see that next year, or if not it'll be in pilot. It's still in script stage.

Channel 4 has announced its 2013 pilots for the comedy showcase 4Funnies.

Sti comedy Scrotal Recall joins the previously-announced Raised By Wolves - written by Caitlin Moran - in the line-up.

Moran's pilot, co-written with sister Caroline, has been described by the columnist as a "modern day reimagining" of her younger years.

Scrotal Recall - from Pramface writer Tom Edge - follows 20-something Dylan Witter, who must contact everyone he's ever slept with to tell them he has Chlamydia.

Also on the slate is a comedy from Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Roisin Conaty telling the story of Marcella, a hapless 30-year-old doing her very best to muddle through life.

Superhero spoof The Revengers! is the final commission. Daisy Haggard (Episodes, Psychoville) will star in the mockumentary - described as "Batman meets The Office" - which follows an unconventional team of costumed adventurers in Croydon.

"With exceedingly well-crafted scripts and new talent...

'Derek' has been given a second series. The controversial comedy - Ricky Gervais' latest creation - revolves around the staff and residents of Broad Hill Retirement Home and while the critics panned it, it was a hit with audiences. So Channel 4 have recommissioned another series, which stars Ricky as the title character with support from Karl Pilkington, Kerry Godliman and David Earl. Following the announcement, Ricky said: '''Derek' is probably my favourite thing of everything I've done, so I can't wait to start thinking up some new adventures for the gang.'' Channel 4's head of comedy Phil Clarke added: ''I am delighted...

Ricky Gervais comedy-drama Derek is to return for a second series on Channel 4.

Six more 30-minute episodes have been commissioned, after the first series attracted a consolidated average of 2.1m viewers.

"Derek is probably my favourite thing of everything I've done, so I can't wait to start thinking up some new adventures for the gang," said Gervais, who writes and directs the show, in addition to playing the title character.

Phil Clarke, Channel 4's Head of Comedy, added: "I am delighted that Derek is coming back for a second run on Channel 4. It's an original comic vision, brave, funny and touching, with a star performance at its heart. It has already garnered a loyal following."

Derek debuted with a pilot episode in April 2012, with a full series following in January of this year.

Karl Pilkington, Kerry Godliman and David Earl also star in the show, which concludes...

Exclusive: Sought-after pilot director Marc Buckland has been tapped to helm The Gates, NBC‘s recently picked up single-camera comedy pilot from writers Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV. The project, which was given an early green light, is based on the British series of the same name that premiered on Sky Living in August. It is an adult ensemble comedy set at the front gates of an elementary school drop-off and revolves around the parents, school staff and 15-minute social minefield they have to navigate at the beginning and end of each school day. Yuspa and Goldsmith wrote the script and executive produce with Kapital Entertainment’s Aaron Kaplan as well as Laurence Bowen and Philip Clarke of Feelgood Fiction, the UK production company behind the original series. The Gates reunites Buckland with NBC and 20th TV, the network and studio behind the comedy My Name Is Earl,...

NBC is standing at the gates of pilot season. The network has made a pilot order for Gates, a single-camera comedy from The King of Queens duo Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Based on the British comedy of the same name, Gates revolves around the parents and staff who navigate the twice-daily social landmine that exists at the school drop-off gates of an elementary school. Yuuspa and Goldsmith ('Til Death) will pen the script and executive produce alongside Kaptial Entertainment's Aaron Kaplan (The Neighbors, Terra Nova). Laurence Bowen and Philip Clarke of

read more...

Exclusive: In what marks the first early pilot order to a project pitched this development season, NBC has picked up The Gates, a single-camera comedy pilot from writers Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV. The project originally landed at NBC in August with a pilot production commitment after a bidding war, and I hear NBC ordered a pilot off a first draft, which rarely happens in network television. Based on the British comedy of the same name that premiered on Sky Living in August, Gates is an adult ensemble comedy set at the front gates of an elementary school drop-off. It revolves around the parents, the school staff and the 15-minute social minefield they have to navigate at the beginning and end of each school day. Yuspa and Goldsmith wrote the script and executive produce with Kapital Entertainment’s Aaron Kaplan (ABC’s The Neighbors...

Exclusive: Comedy continues to be hot this selling season with another single-camera pitch sparking a bidding war. Gates, from writers Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV, was pursued by all four major networks, landing at NBC with a pilot production commitment. Based on the British comedy of the same name, which premiered on Sky Living two weeks ago, Gates is an adult ensemble comedy set at the front gates of an elementary school drop-off. It revolves around the parents, the school staff and the 15-minute social minefield they have to navigate at the beginning and end of each school day. Yuspa and Goldsmith will write the script and executive produce with Kapital Entertainment’s Aaron Kaplan (MTV’s The Inbetweeners, ABC’s The Neighbors) as well as Laurence Bowen and Philip Clarke of Feelgood Fiction, the UK production company behind the original series. Gates,...

Exclusive: ABC has put in development a U.S. version of the praised British comedy Suburban Shootout. Byron Balasco will write the hourlong adaptation of the half-hour original, a dark comedy about a woman who escapes the city and her past for suburban bliss only to discover she (with the help of her new neighbors) has to resort to using unconventional methods and her past skills to achieve the life she so desires. ABC Studios is producing with Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment and Laurence Bowen and Philip Clarke’s Feelgood Fiction, the company behind the British series that controls the format rights. Balasco, Kaplan, Bowen and Clarke are executive producing. This is the second stab at launching a U.S. version of Suburban Shootout. In 2008, HBO ordered a pilot written by Michelle Ashford, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and starring Judy Greer. ABC seems like a good place for the...

Channel 4 have announced that filming has begun in Manchester on their eight part young-adult comedy series Fresh Meat, the latest show from Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, the writers of Peep Show.

The 45 minute long episodes will follow six first-year University students who;

Away from home for the first time, on the brink of adult life, they are about to discover who they really are. From the moment they ship up as freshers at their shared house, their lives are destined to collide, overlap and run the whole gamut of appalling behaviour and terrible errors of judgment.

From the sounds of things it’s kind of Skins/Inbetweeners for an older crowd but from Bain and Armstrong we can expect something far more darkly sinister, I imagine. The movie is due to air later this year.

Full cast after the jump…

British comedian Jack Whitehall gets top billing as...

Channel 4's Comedy Lab will air a pilot based on the Indian sport Kabaddi later this year. The Objective Productions programme, which has been commissioned by Nerys Evans, will focus on friends Bobby and Vin as they attempt to put together a multi-racial kabaddi team. Currently titled Kabadasses, the show is expected to air in the autumn, reports Broadcast. The show is written by Nikesh Shulka, while Phil Clarke and (more)...

Ohff 2010 PosterThe Oklahoma Horror Film Festival is gearing up for a three day celebration beginning September 3rd, during the American Labour Day weekend. Several short and feature length films will be displayed including David Kabler's Wanderlost and Uwe Boll's Rampage to Matt Allen's Aces and Eights and Monica Winter Vigil's short film Not Even Death. Over fourteen features will be shown along with fourty-five shorts. The weekend long event will also highlight a comedic "Zombie Fashion walk" (Oklahoma) and the participation of independent film distribution companies e.g. R Squared Films and Vci Entertainment.

There will be a little something for everyone at the festival and horror fans can attend writing workshops or meet celebrities at the event in only a couple weeks. More info' on a selection of the films is available below, with ticket details at the official Oklahoma Horror Film Festival site. More details are inside.