Comedy

Matt Berry sitcom among new Channel 4 commissions

Year of the Rabbit features Detective Inspector Rabbit (Berry), a reckless heavy-drinking (Victorian) London cop, and his hapless ineffectual partner, played by Freddie Fox (Cucumber, Parade’s End).

While the pair investigate a local murder, the tough-talking and insightful adoptive daughter of the chief of police (Susan Wokoma – Chewing Gum, Crazyhead) joins them – incidentally becoming the nation’s first female officer.

BBC Two announces new comedy line up

(Credit: BBC)

Leading the charge is Defending The Guilty a courtroom drama from Kieron Quirke (Cuckoo). Katherine Parkinson (Humans) plays Caroline, the cynical and experienced pupil master of Will (played by Flower's Will Sharpe), an idealistic pupil barrister. Will must navigate his way through the complexities of the justice system, to fight it out with several other hopeful contenders for a single job at the end of training. Expect cut-throat exploits and plenty of back-stabbing.

Julia Davis creates new Sky original comedy

(Credit: Sky)

Following the life of Sally (Catharine Shepherd, Peep Show), a successful marketer, ensconced in a dull suburban life with David (Alex Macqueen, The Inbetweeners) the series follows the events after David proposes to Sally.

Sally has a crisis about the proposal and embarks on a wild affair with Emma (Julia Davis) a captivating musician, poet and author. Emma soon moves in starts rearranging Sally’s life, leaving her head spinning and questioning what she actually wants.

Rob Delaney to host Stand Up Central

(Credit: Comedy Central)

Each episode will feature stand-up from Catastrophe writer and star Rob Delaney, before he introduces two guest comedians to perform in front of the live audience. Past series have included the comedy stylings of Al Murray, Katherine Ryan, Russell Howard, Sara Pascoe, Lee Nelson and Jimmy Carr.

“I’m excited to be hosting a series for Comedy Central that will showcase a slew of great stand-ups and is also walking distance from my house,” joked Rob Delaney.

The previous series of Stand Up Central were hosted first by Russell Howard and then by Chris Ramsey.

UKTV’s Zapped and Porters to return this Autumn

Supernatural comedy Zapped sees the return of James Buckley (The Inbetweeners) as unassuming office worker Brian who is transported to a fantastical land named Munty, where magic is real but restricted by a police state. Here he meets wizard Howell (Paul Kaye) and a whole host of magical beings, the third series picks up from the a cliff-hanger ending, with Brian and Howell in dire straits.

BBC mockumentary This Country renewed for third series

The series which was written by siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper, who also serve as the leads is about the day-to-day of two cousins living in a rural village in the Cotswolds. 

The show has recently won three RTS Programme Awards; for Comedy Writer, Comedy Performance and Best Scripted Comedy. The show has also been nominated four times at the upcoming BAFTA and BAFTA Craft Awards.

Urban Myths returns for more 'true-ish' tales to Sky Arts

What happens when you give writers with big imaginations a kernel of truth? Sky Arts’ Urban Myths, that’s what – charming, half-hour comedies that dramatise true, or “true-ish”, tales from the worlds of Hollywood, music, arts and literature.

The second series – which features stories ranging from Agatha Christie’s 11-day disappearance to the first meeting of the teenage David Bowie and Marc Bolan, and Johnny Cash duelling with an ostrich – airs this month on the channel and on-­demand. A third installment is in the pipeline.