Mitchell & Webb working on new Channel 4 sitcom
David Mitchell and Robert Webb are reportedly developing a new sitcom project with Channel 4.
The duo, who are due to appear on the channel in the much-anticipated final series of Peep Show this winter, are now working on a new project called Back as part of a development deal they have with the station.
Mitchell & Webb are collaborating on the script with Simon Blackwell, an experienced writer who has previously penned some episodes of Peep Show. Blackwell has also previously written for the pair on their other projects, such as That Mitchell & Webb Sound, and elsewhere worked on programmes such as The Thick Of It, Veep, Trying Again and The Old Guys.
Radio Times says "Details of Back remain sketchy to the point of non existence but one source confirmed that 'C4 is pleased with the idea'."
The magazine also quotes the source as saying: "We can't say too much. It's very much work in progress and there are quite a few possible ways the story could go but we have high hopes for it."
Filming recently wrapped on Series 9 of Peep Show, which has been confirmed as the cult sitcom's final series. The last day on set was said to be very emotional. Created by Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, it has run on Channel 4 for twelve years.
Mitchell & Webb first met at university in 1993 in the Cambridge Footlights society and have worked together on various comedy projects ever since, most notably Peep Show and the sketch show That Mitchell And Webb Look.
Aside from Peep Show, the duo's last scripted comedy show together was 2013's Ambassadors and, prior to that, The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff.
A little known fact is that, in 2008, the double-act created a studio audience sitcom called Playing Shop, but then turned down a subsequent BBC commission. Speaking in 2009, David Mitchell revealed: "I think we made the characters too scuzzy and low-rent. It was our natural inclination to write these absolute losers", with Robert Webb adding: "It was too close to Peep Show."
Further details of Back are expected to be revealed at a later date. Peep Show Series 9 will air on Channel 4 this winter.