ABC buys Terrible People

Humphrey Ker has sold a sitcom based on his own life to America’s ABC network.

The comic, who won the best newcomer award at Edinburgh in 2011 for Dymock Watson: Nazi Smasher!, will write the show, called Terrible People.

According to Hollywood website Deadline, the plot revolves around Charlie Stevenson who goes to see his narcissistic, manipulative father and step-mother for a short visit, but finds himself staying permanently when he sees what awful children his half-brother and sister are becoming.

Eton-educated Ker came to prominence in comedy a member of the Penny Dreadfuls sketch troupe, which he formed with David Reed and Thom Tuck while at Edinburgh University. He has made several TV and radio appearances, including curating the Museum Of Curiosity on Radio 4.

Earlier this year, he landed his first US acting role, in the sitcom pilot Holding Patterns, about friends who reassess their lives after surviving a plane crash.

He is also set to have a role as a writer in the third series of the Matt LeBlanc sitcom Episodes. The transatlantic BBC-Showtime co-production is set to air early next year.

Published: 14 Oct 2013