ITV2 developing Australian sitcom remake
An adaptation of Australian sitcom Laid is being developed by ITV2, according to reports.
Trade publication Broadcast reports that Scottish production company STV is working to transfer the female-centred comedy to the UK, with the writing talent of Gimme Gimme Gimme and Beautiful People scribe Jonathan Harvey.
Cancelled after two 6-episode series in its native Australia, Laid follows Roo McVie, a 30-year old market researcher whose former boyfriends begin dying in strange circumstances. With the help of her best friend, Roo hopes to find out what is going on, establish whether there is a pattern linking the deaths, and stop a similar fate befalling herself.
Made by public broadcaster ABC1, the comedy was previously piloted by NBC in the US but not commissioned.
A British pilot is likely to be produced during 2014 as ITV digital channels boss Angela Jain strives to increase original comedy programmming on the female-lifestyle-orientated ITV2.
Previous UK adaptations of Australian sitcoms include 1990s BBC comedy series Keeping Mum. Starring Stephanie Cole and Martin Ball, it ran for two 8-episode series during 1997 and 1998.
Below is a clip from the Australian version of Laid: