Gold orders its first original sitcom
Age-gap comedy Us And Them
Digital channel Gold has commissioned its first original sitcom, which will be based on an age-gap relationship.
Us And Them follows the success of revivals of The Comic Strip Presents and Yes, Prime Minister, and the recently announced panel game Jo Brand's Great Wall of Comedy.
The set-up involves divorcé Ed, who lives opposite his ex-wife, and his love for Lauren, who is 20 years his junior – an age difference that provokes strong opinions from their friends and family.
No cast has yet been announced, but number of star actors are said to be in line for the lead roles.
The six half-hour episodes are described by commissioning editor Sarah Fraser as ‘twisted family tales’.
It is the first major commission for comedy writer Steve Turner. Despite several of his own ideas being optioned or in development, his CV of work on air extends to an episode of ITV comedy-drama Great Night Out and episodes of teen dramas including Jeopardy and Tracy Beaker Returns.
The series is being made by Hat Trick Productions, whose credits included Outnumbered, Father Ted and Have I Got News For You.
Managing director Jimmy Mulville said: ‘It's great that UKTV are now venturing into commissioning original comedy and even better that they have chosen Hat Trick's Us and Them, written by the brilliant Steve Turner, as the first series created specifically for Gold. We're thrilled and honoured and hope this is the start of great things to come.’
Gold’s general manager Steve North said: ‘US And Them is funny, engaging and a perfect fit for Gold's audience. We are in talks with a number of high profile actors to play the lead roles and look forward to welcoming a stellar cast to the channel.’
Gold has won audience success with its original commissions. The Comic Strip Presents: Five Go To Rehab was the channel's highest rating show of last year, attracting 629,000 viewers to its first episode.
Corrected as Gold's original press release said episodes were 40 minutes long, when they are, in fact, 30 minutes.
Published: 19 Feb 2013
