Germany goes Cuckoo for UK comedy

German broadcaster ARD has picked up the first two series of UK comedy Cuckoo from FremantleMedia International.

The deal marks the first time in more than a decade that an acquired series has made it onto ARD’s access primetime schedule, which before now has focused entirely on local productions, according to FMI.

The latest sale for Cuckoo follows on from one completed with HBO Central Europe that sees the series go to 16 territories within the region. The sitcom can now be seen in over 70 territories worldwide including Australia (Foxtel), New Zealand (BBC), Russia (Amedia and 2×2) and Africa (MTV).

Cuckoo, from UK-based Roughcut Television, pits Hollywood star and Saturday Night Live stalwart Andy Samberg (Hot Rod, I Love You Man) against British comedian Greg Davies (The Inbetweeners).

Created and written by Robin French and Kieron Quirke (Trinity), Cuckoo is about two parents whose daughter returns from a gap year with the self-appointed spiritual ninja she has married while away. Cuckoo is exec produced by Ash Atalla (The IT Crowd, The Office and Trollied).

ARD will air the series this fall.

Roughcut renewed its output deal with FMI last month and earlier this month signed a co-development deal with Sky.