Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet sign with BBC Studios
- Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet has signed a deal between their production company and BBC Studios
- BBC Studios will take global rights on all new scripted television programmes created by the writers and actors
- They say: "BBC Studios has been the beating heart of British comedy for decades and we're humbled to be joining its ranks"
BBC Studios has announced a development, production, and distribution partnership agreement with writers and actors Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet.
The deal will see BBC Studios take global rights on all new scripted television programmes co-developed, co-produced and commissioned from BBC Studios Productions and People Person Pictures, the new company formed by Bird and Sweet.
Inbetweeners and Friday Night Dinner star Simon Bird and Together creator Jonny Sweet have been collaborating on comedy projects since they formed comedy sketch group The House Of Windsor at Birkbeck College with Joe Thomas.
With Thomas, Bird and Sweet wrote and starred in 2013 sitcom Chickens (pictured) together.
The first production from People Person Pictures was Simon Bird: Debrief, the All 4 stand-up special recorded during lockdown in an empty theatre, in which Bird tackled topics such as the UK's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Josh Cole, head of comedy at BBC Studios, says: "We are long-time admirers of Simon and Jonny's work - they are not only exceptionally gifted writers and performers but also producers, working closely with the industry's most exciting, emerging comic talent. We've wanted this to happen for a long time and can't wait to get started."
Jonathan Blyth, director of comedy at BBC Studios Content Partnerships, adds: "There is strong international appetite for Simon and Jonny's warm and irreverent brand of comedy. We are thrilled to be partnering with them to help bring their brilliant projects to life for both UK and global audiences."
Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet say: "BBC Studios has been the beating heart of British comedy for decades and we're humbled to be joining its ranks. We look forward to continuing the work we started at Guilty Party Pictures, putting writers and comedians at the centre of the production process, to create inventive, diverse, high-quality television."