New shows for Topic platform

A mental health chat show fronted by Maria Bamford and a sitcom from British improvisers Graham Dickson and Liz Kingsman have been commissioned by a new US streaming service.

Bamford will host eight episodes of What’s Your Ailment?!, launching on the Topic platform on Boxing Day.

In each she will speak with fellow performers including Tom Arnold Tig Notaro, Andy Kindler and Rachel Bloom about their struggles  with mental health issues.

Meanwhile Down From London has been created by Graham Dickson, Kingsman and director Jim Archer

 It follows a couple trying to understand their relationship after a failed marriage proposal – and is based on this short film released last year

The short-form series is made by Mermade, a  sister company to Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford’s Merman, and premieres on December 19.

Al Roberts and Jon Pointing are also in the cast.

Topic launched last month, amid a busy time for streaming servies, with the start of Disney+, Apple TV+ and HBO Max tryign to challenge the dominance of Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Published: 5 Dec 2019