Arthur Mathews developing new bailiffs sitcom
Arthur Mathews is developing a new sitcom for the BBC.
The writer, who is perhaps best known for his working partnership with Graham Linehan and co-creating Father Ted, has created a programme about a group of "well-intentioned" bailiffs.
According to trade publication Broadcast, the sitcom is loosely inspired by BBC One's daytime reality-documentary series, The Sheriffs Are Coming, which follows a group of enforcement officers from the High Court as they collect money for consumers left out of pocket.
Mathews's most recent comedy project has been Toast Of London, which he co-writes with star Matt Berry.
His credits also include Big Train, The Catherine Tate Show, Brass Eye, The Fast Show, Black Books and Harry & Paul.
Mathews is working to develop Sheriffs with writers Peter Bowden and Thom Phipps, who have written upcoming Kayvan Novak comedy, Asylum.
An initial 30-minute pilot is being made by the BBC's own in-house comedy production department, overseen by Myfanwy Moore, whose credits include Little Britain. The pilot is unlikely to be broadcast.