Remake ahead for C4 sitcom

Peep Show is heading for an American remake.

The Spike network, which targets a youngish male audience, has struck a deal to adapt the cult hit for its own viewers, with the help of Curb Your Enthusiasm executive producer Robert Weide.

Weide will write and direct the new version, which is being developed by production house Pangea, a US subsidiary of British company RDF Media, Hollywood trade newspaper Variety reports.

It is a rare move into sitcom for Spike, which tends to concentrate on dramas, but part of an increasing wave of interest in British comedy hits, following NBC’s success with remaking The Office.

There is no news yet on who will take over from David Mitchell and Robert Webb in the roles of flatmates Mark and Jeremy.

The British version is being shown on cable channel BBC America, where it is in its second season.

This isn’t the first attempt to fashion the sitcom for the US, as the Fox network ordered a pilot episode in 2005. However, nothing ever came of it.

Although Peep Show’s British audience is only around 1.3million, Channel 4 have committed to making a fifth series in the UK, encouraged by critical acclaim.

Published: 4 May 2007