ITV unveiled information about several new comedy commissions, scheduled to air on ITV or premiere exclusively on the streamer, ITVX. “The arrival of ITVX gives us more opportunities to commission a broad range of comedies and a dedicated place for the genre to call home," Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Comedy said. "We want a huge cross section of contemporary, diverse and inclusive comedy. We want to take risks but most importantly we want our audiences to find shows that reflect them and make them laugh.”
ITVX's catalog includes "Plebs: Soldiers Of Rome." Featuring five series, the show will end with a feature-length 85 minute special, directed and written by Sam Leifer and co-written by Tom Basden, set to make its debut on ITVX. Marcus, Grumio, Jason and Aurelius join the army in peace-time, hoping to win respect, romance and discounts at participating restaurants. But when war's declared, they’re sent to fight on the front line for a cause they don’t believe in. Now their main interest is the struggle for survival… Shot in Bulgaria and Wales, the backdrop of war allows their adventures to unfold on an epic scale.
"Deep Fake Neighbor Wars" also forms part of the roster, set to show of the latest AI technology. The title is set to be produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, part of Banijay Group. The title is announced alongside "Significant Other," in which Katherine Parkinson and Youssef Kerkour star in. The comedic-drama from Nicola Shindler's Quay Street Productions is written by Dana Fainaru and Hamish Wright, starts filming next month and will air on ITVX in 2023. The title is developed in association with, and distributed internationally by, ITV Studios.
The slate also includes "Count Abdulla," which follows Abdulla Khan, a mid-twenties British-Pakistani Muslim doctor stuck in an identity crisis, caught between his religious mother and his secular, hedonistic friends. But when Abdulla is bitten by a vampire, he suddenly becomes the outsider’s outsider. The six-part comedy series, produced by Fudge Park production's Hussain Casey Ahmed and executive producer Phil Gilbert, is written by Kaamil Shah and directed by Asim Abbasi (Churails).
Also forming part of the catalog is "Ruby Speaking," a new scripted comedy from Yellow Door Productions co-created by and starring the award-winning actress and comedian Jayde Adams and written by Abigail Wilson. The Bristol-based series follows Ruby's misadventures and is inspired by the years Jayde spent working in a call centre. Ruby is a popular addition to the workforce but puts other people’s problems above her own and definitely above making a sale. Fellow Bristolian Rosie Gaunt-Mathieson will direct and Jon Macqueen (Sliced, Phone Shop) will produce. This new 6 x 30’ series will premiere on ITVX in 2023 and Yellow Door founder Lucy Lumsden will Exec Produce. Also joining is "The Family Pile" from Hat Trick Productions, set to air on ITV in 2023. The series will be a comedic exploration of one of life’s big milestones, via four sisters who have lost their parents and are packing up the family home to sell. But even in grief their messy lives go on.
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