ITV remakes American sitcom

ITV is to remake the American sitcom Dharma & Greg for British audiences, according to C21 Media.

Dharma & Greg is an American sitcom which was made by 20th Century Fox for the ABC network. It ran between 1997 and 2002. The comedy revolves around a rich lawyer from a well-to-do family who goes out on a date with a hippy girl, and decides to marry her after one date. The show was something of a success, with the lead actress, Jenna Elfman, winning a Golden Globe for her performance as Dharma Montgomery.

ITV have already shown the original American series. At first, the network broadcast the episodes in a prime-time slot (10:30pm on Thursday nights). However, the show was slowly moved back in the schedules until it was being shown at around midnight.

ITV's manager of global content, Lee Bartlett (who worked at Fox previously) said that show was ideal for adaptation because one of Dharma and Greg's central themes is class, which is a common focus in British sitcoms too. He also added that the scripts would be re-written to reflect British sensibilities.

This new adaptation is the first part of a new deal between ITV and Fox, which may also include the two networks creating new shows together. Bartlett said the deal "presents tremendous opportunities for a trans-Atlantic cross-fertilization of ideas and talent."