BBC appoints ex-Netflix, BBCS exec Chris Sussman as director of comedy

UK public broadcaster the BBC has appointed former Netflix and BBC Studios (BBCS) exec Chris Sussman as director of comedy.

Sussman was previously director of scripted series at Netflix UK, where he built a slate of dramas including Man Versus Bee, Baby Reindeer, Stay Close, Bodies and Black Mirror.

As head of comedy at BBCS, he oversaw both the TV and radio comedy slates, including series This Country, Inside No 9, W1A, Famalam, Upstart Crow, Ladhood, Two Doors Down, Vic & Bob’s Big Night Out and Mrs Brown’s Boys.

He was also responsible for winning BBCS’s first commissions with Apple (Trying) and Amazon (Good Omens).

During his previous time in the BBC comedy commissioning team, Sussman was responsible for series such as Fleabag, Mum, Bad Education, Cuckoo, Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe, Rev, Ambassadors and Him & Her. More recently, he has been working as an executive producer on BBC comedy series Ludwig.

Sussman will report directly to chief content officer Kate Phillips and lead the BBC comedy commissioning team. He will be responsible for overseeing a wide range of comedies including Ludwig, Amandaland, Small Prophets, Ann Droid, Here We Go and Black Ops. New series coming up include Bill’s Included, Reluctant Vampire, Better Later, Hopley Hall, Push and Opening Up.

He starts his role next month, with Emma Lawson continuing as acting director until then.

Phillips said: “After a highly competitive interview process, I’m delighted that Chris will be taking up the role of the BBC’s director of comedy. With a wealth of experience across multiple indies and broadcasters he has the smarts and skills needed to lead us into a very funny future.”

In related news, comedy Ann Droid has been commissioned for a second run after attracting 7.6 million viewers (over 28 days) for episode one, making it the BBC’s second biggest new scripted launch of the year to date, after Small Prophets.

The show, produced by Boffola Pictures and Witchcraft Industries, was created by Bafta and Emmy nominated actor and writer Diane Morgan (Mandy, Cunk) and co-written by Morgan and Sarah Kendall (Frayed, The Other One). It stars Sue Johnston (True Love, The Royle Family), Diane Morgan and Paul Ready (Motherland).