Baron Cohen returns to TV with Showtime satire

Who Is America? will premiere on Showtime in the US

Comedian and actor Sacha Baron Cohen is returning to TV with a satirical series about America that will begin airing in the US, UK and France next week.

Showtime in the US will premiere Who Is America? (7×30′) on Sunday, with Channel 4 in the UK and Canal+ in France carrying the first episode a day later.

The show, which has been in the works for the past year, sees Baron Cohen (Ali G, Borat, Bruno) return to series TV for the first time in more than a decade.

It will “explore the diverse individuals, from the infamous to the unknown across the political and cultural spectrum, who populate our unique nation,” according to Showtime.

“Sacha is a comedic genius who shocks you with his audacity, bravery and inventiveness,” said David Nevins, president and CEO of Showtime Networks.

“He is the premier provocateur of our time, but not for the sake of ‘gotcha’ moments. Behind the elaborate set-up is a genuine quest for the truth about people, places and politics. Nobody knows how to cause a stir like Sacha Baron Cohen, and it’s going to be fascinating to watch what happens when Who Is America? is released on the world.”

Baron Cohen burst on to the comedy scene with Da Ali G Show on the UK’s Channel 4 in 2000, later releasing hit movies such as Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

His other film credits include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Les Miserables, Bruno, Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Madagascar, The Dictator, Hugo and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.

Who Is America? is created and executive produced by Baron Cohen and is also executive produced by Anthony Hines, Todd Schulman, Andrew Newman, Dan Mazer and Adam Lowitt.