C4 and AMC link for tech comedy format

Channel 4 and AMC are teaming to coproduce Loaded, a comedy format based on Keshet International’s Israeli series Mesudarim (pictured).

The two broadcasters previously partnered for sci-fi drama Humans, which was a major ratings success in the UK, and are now reuniting on the 8x60mins Loaded, with Keshet UK and Hillbilly Television the other copro partners.

The drama is about to go into production, and will air in the US and UK next year. The show will follow four tech entrepreneurs and thirty-something friends who sell their start-up for hundreds of millions of dollars.

Keshet International will hold worldwide distribution rights to the finished UK series. It is the second scripted format deal for the show, after Televisa in Mexico struck a deal for a local version.

Ian Fitzgibbon (Moone Boy) will direct the first three episodes. Mary McCormack (The West Wing), Jim Howick (Yonderland), Samuel Anderson (Doctor Who) and Jonny Sweet (Babylon) will star.

“After such a successful collaboration on Humans, we’re thrilled to be partnering once again with AMC,” said Phil Clarke, head of scripted at Channel 4. “We’re so excited to be working alongside AMC, Hillbilly Television and Keshet UK on this hilarious, astute and timely comedy drama.”

Joel Stillerman, president of programming, AMC and SundanceTV, said: “A smart and somewhat lighthearted look at all of the things that can go wrong when you’re suddenly very, very rich – and very, very young – felt like a perfect show for our times.”

Mesudarim has scooped several Israeli Academy Awards.