Comic pilots Showtime series

Steve Coogan is to step into the shoes of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman on a planned new comedy.

The Alan Partridge creator has been signed up to star in Happyish, a series for America's Showtime cable network. It revolves around fortysomething Thom Payne, going through something of a mid-life crisis working for new bosses who are half his age.

The broadcaster had committed to a series of ten episodes with Hoffman, who was also an executive producer. But now it will go back to the pilot stage with Coogan. Production will begin in New York in December.

It is not certain whether any of the original cast, including Rhys Ifans as one of Payne's bosses, will return.

Coogan paid tribute to Hoffman hours after he was found dead in his New York apartment in February from a drugs overdose. He said: 'He did some tremendous work... You wouldn't find anybody who would have a bad word to say about any of his performances – they were all incredibly nuanced.'

Happyish was created by essayist Shalom Auslander, who praised Coogan's talents. He told The Hollywood Reporter: 'Steve’s range is astounding — he is a comedy legend, a gifted satirist, and he possesses the unique combination of talents this role demands.'

Published: 23 Oct 2014