Channel 4 orders comedy pilot The Circuit from Pulling creators
- Sharon Horgan and Dennis Kelly, the writers of Pulling, have reunited for a new sitcom pilot
- The Circuit - which will be shown on Channel 4 - is about a terrible dinner party
- Stars include Adeel Akhtar, Tobias Menzies and Nicola Walker
The creators of critically acclaimed comedy Pulling - Sharon Horgan (pictured) and Dennis Kelly - have reunited to write a new comedy pilot for Channel 4.
Described as a show about "the horror and hilarity of social engagement", The Circuit focuses on "the worst dinner party that's ever happened in the world anywhere".
Channel 4, talking about the plot, explain: "Gabe and Nat have left their wonderful old life and moved to an area where people seem to oscillate somewhere between highly-strung and psychopathic. The reason they left isn't immediately clear but they're here now and trying to make the best of it. They go to one dinner party hosted by neighbour Helene and her husband Sasha with fellow prisoners Marty and her girlfriend Angie. And so begins a descent into hell and goulash, from which no one will ever fully recover."
The pilot will star Adeel Akhtar as Gabe, Eva Birthistle as Nat, Victoria Hamilton as Helene and Tobias Menzies as Sasha. It also features Nicola Walker as Marty, Desiree Akhavan as Angie and Paul Ready as Danny.
Talking about reuniting, Dennis Kelly and Sharon Horgan joke: "It has taken just 10 short years for us to agree to work together again. It was a mistake."
Channel 4's Head Of Comedy Phil Clarke says: "The pitch for The Circuit was irresistible. The premise - that everyone hates going to dinner parties but goes anyway - is a great starting place for a comedy. Plus, the prospect of a script from Sharon Horgan and Dennis Kelly, writing together again for the first time since Pulling, was incredibly exciting. The script didn't disappoint, and I am delighted that we are now making a pilot."
Commissioner Rachel Springett adds: "We can't wait to see this stellar cast breathe life into Dennis and Sharon's fabulous script. It's a very exciting project, which we are thrilled to be making with them."
The Circuit will be produced by Merman, the production company Sharon Horgan co-owns. Producer Clelia Mountford comments: "We're delighted to be working with Channel 4 on the longest dinner party ever. We just hope they'll bring the wine."
Through Merman, Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford are working on a number of other comedy projects. They include forthcoming BBC Two pilot Motherland, and un-named projects for a new first-look deal with Sky Vision. In yesterday's Observer, Horgan and Mountford spoke about their projects to date and their ambitions for the production company. Read