Kris Marshall to star in estate agent comedy

ITV1 have commissioned a six-part comedy drama called Sold. The show, which will star Kris Marshall (Nick from My Family), focuses on the dog-eat-dog world of estate agents. Colubrines, a fictional estate agents, is staffed by unscrupulous people who are adept at high-pressure selling and dirty tricks. Marshall will play one of the morally corrupt agents, whilst Bryan Dick (who played Prince Turveydrop in Bleak House) plays a salesman who actually believes in what he does.

The show has been written by Steve Coombes whose previous credits include New Tricks and Hustle. Sold, which will be directed by Cilla Ware (Spooks), will be filmed in and around London this summer by Touchpaper Television.

ITV's Laura Mackie told The Guardian: "This is a colourful, witty and perceptive workplace drama with a contemporary twist that draws upon the highs and lows of life in the highly competitive world of estate agency. Steve Coombes' scripts combine great warmth and wicked black humour and he has created a fantastic group of characters the audience should love and hate in equal measure."

September 2007 Update: Anthony Head will play the Managing Director of the estate agents. Head told the press: "I've tried to embody the power Sir Alan brings to The Apprentice, and his edginess, stoicism and slight intransigence." Sold will be broadcast on ITV1 in November.

Sold joins a growing list of ITV comedy series as Britain's biggest commercial broadcaster starts to invest in the genre again. Recent ITV1 comedies have included Mumbai Calling, The Abbey, Get A Grip, You Can Choose Your Friends and The Dame Edna Experience. New comedies currently in development for the channel include Bike Squad, News Knight, CGI UK, Hibbert and Long and Teenage Kicks. Benidorm, Harry Hill's TV Burp and Al Murry's Saturday night show will also be returning to ITV1 later in the year.