'Arrested' Crew in 'The Thick of It' at ABC

Zap2It.com | November 15, 2006

Mitch Hurwitz, Arrested Development

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Hurwitz will exec produce pilot based on BBC show

LOS ANGELES -- Some of the folks behind FOX's late, lamented "Arrested Development" are getting back into the "The Thick of It."

Richard Day, a writer and producer on "Arrested," and series creator Mitch Hurwitz are collaborating on an adaptation of the BBC 4 series "The Thick of It" for ABC. The network has given a pilot order to the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The original series, which won two BAFTA Awards (the British version of the Emmys) earlier this year, including best comedy, focused on a harried British government minister and the inept staff members and bureaucrats he dealt with on a daily basis (it aired on BBC America in this country). ABC's version will transplant the action to Congress.

Day, who will write the pilot script, has five Emmy nominations, including writing nods for "The Larry Sanders Show" and last season's "Arrested Development" finale. He's also shared in outstanding comedy series nominations for both those shows, as well as "Mad About You" in 1997. His credits also include writing and producing stints on "Ellen," "Spin City" and "Good Morning, Miami."

Hurwitz will executive produce the project, along with Day, Paul Telegdy and Armando Iannucci, who created the British series. Sony Pictures TV and BBC Worldwide are producing the pilot.