BBC2 ups comedy credentials

BBC2 is on the hunt for a new pre-watershed comedy and is bringing back established double acts David Mitchell and Robert Webb and Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson.

In a talk at the Edinburgh International Television Festival this morning, BBC2 controller Janice Hadlow said that pre-watershed comedy was “the biggest single thing” the channel was aiming for, having already established a “distinctive” post-watershed comedy slate.

“I would love to have a pre-watershed broad comedy, and I think that’s part of BBC2’s heritage. I grew up watching great BBC2 comedy early in the evening and I’d love to be able to find something that would replace Miranda,” Hadlow said, referring to the family comedy which debuted on BBC2 in 2009 but transitioned to BBC1 for its second season run.

Referring to new comedies currently in production, Hadlow revealed two new shows in the works. “We’ve got Mitchell and Webb doing a fantastic comedy-drama for us which will be very interesting,” she said.

The stars of Channel 4’s dark comedy Peep Show, have previously done three seasons of sketch show That Mitchell and Webb Look for BBC2, the last of which aired on the channel at the end of 2011.

They will now star in Our Men, a 60-minute comedy drama from Big Talk Productions, set in the world of British embassies and international diplomacy – described by Mitchell as “Yes, Prime Minister meets Spooks at a bad disco.”

Hadlow also confirmed “the return of Aide Edmondson and Rik Mayall to the channel after many, many years.” The pair appeared together on Bottom during the 1990s, a sitcom that aired on BBC2 and spawned a number of subsequent live stage shows.

Earlier this week, Edmondson said on Twitter that he and Mayall were “trying to write a series of ‘Hooligan’s Island'” – a Bottom live stage show that dates back to 1997.

The show (6×30′) will be a BBC Comedy coproduction with Phil McIntyre Television and is due to air next year.

Also in the works is a new comedy from from broadcaster and comedian Sue Perkins. Heading Out (6×30′) is a copro between RED Production Company and Perkins’ own indie, Square Peg TV, and is about a lesbian vet. It goes into production in September, due to air next year.

BBC2 has also commissioned a new (6×30′) series from FremantleMedia UK scripted comedy arm Retort and Komedia Entertainment, Count Arthur Strong – about a fictional, aging show-business star. The character, created by comedian Steve Delaney, dates back to the 1980s and Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show! is now in its seventh season on BBC Radio 4.

In the factual space, BBC2’s plans for the year ahead include a 2013 season called The Genius Of Invention, which will celebrate British inventions and include history, science, arts programmes and documentaries.

New dramas planned include an adaptation of Hilary Mantel novel Wolf Hall, which was first reported last year. The period drama will be made by Company Pictures and will also incorporate Mantel’s Wolf Hall sequel Bring Up The Bodies. BBC2 has also commissioned political drama The Honourable Woman. The Eight Rooks production is from Shadow Line writer and director Hugo Blick.