BBC Two brings comedy trio to new strand

UK terrestrial network BBC Two has commissioned three more sitcoms for its soon-to-start ‘New on Two’ strand.

Our Ex Wife, We the Jury and The Coopers Vs the Rest will comprise part of the BBC Landmark Sitcom Season, which plays across BBC One, Two and Four and includes reboots of Porridge and Are You Being Served? among others.

“Hate-filled comedy” Our Ex Wife (pictured) follows Robert Webb (Peep Show) as a divorcee who has found happiness with a new fiancée (Melanie Lynskey), only for his unhinged ex-wife and mother of his children to enter the scene, determined to wreck the relationship.

The Simpsons writer Julie Thacker Scully is writer and creator, with Ben Taylor (Catastrophe) directing. James Farrell (Are You Being Served?) developed it and produces, with BBC Studios executive producers Stephen McCrum (Josh) and Chris Sussman (Cuckoo, People Just Do Nothing) attached.

Court duty-themed comedy We the Jury follows a mismatched group of jurors, who constantly get distracted from the murder trial on which they are supposed to focus.

Stand-up James Acaster wrote the series, with Taylor again attached as director. Josh Cole produces with Kenton Allen and Saurabh Kakkar executive producing for ITV-owned prodco Big Talk Productions.

The Coopers Vs the Rest is a family comedy starring Tanya Franks (Pulling) and Paterson Joseph (Peep Show) as they raise three adopted children.

Andy Wolton wrote the series with Declan Lowney (Father Ted) directing and BBC Studios, the BBC’s new production arm, producing.

Victoria Lloyd is producing, with McCrum executive producing.

“These three brand new sitcom specials are the fresh out of the oven part of our landmark sitcom season,” said BBC controller, comedy commissioning Shane Allen. “Underpinning BBC Two’s comedy reputation for the eclectic and diverse, they are sharply written and terrifically cast treats with a very contemporary heart to them, except in the case of We the Jury, which is just infectiously and joyfully daft.”

Also on the ‘New on Two’ strand is Merman and Delightful Industries coproduction Motherland and BBC Studios’ Home From Home.

The Landmark Sitcom Season begins next month.