Family Tree mockumentary for BBC Two

Spinal Tap’s Christopher Guest is to make a mockumentary about tracing your family lineage for BBC Two and HBO, it has been confirmed.

Chortle reported in May how Guest was working with the IT Crowd's Chris O'Dowd on the show, called Family Tree.

Now further details have emerged, including the fact that O’Dowd will play 30-year-old Tom Chadwick, who loses his job and his girlfriend only to stumble upon a mysterious box of belongings from a great aunt who he never met.

The eight-part comedy – to air next year – will follow him as he uncovers the unusual stories and characters from his family tree, capitalising on the renewed interest in genealogy and shows such as Who Do You Think You Are?

The BBC’s executive editor for comedy, Chris Sussman, said: ‘We are all ludicrously excited about the opportunity to work with Christopher Guest. He has British roots but this is his first ever project over here, and we are very pleased to have it on the BBC.’

Mario Stylianides, head of comedy at producers Lucky Giant said: ‘Family Tree will feature Christopher's signature style in a humorous look at the ties that bind our families.’

Previously it was reported that the show would be largely improvised and commercial-free, in the same spirit as Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Published: 16 Aug 2012