91Èȱ¬

Episodes is a seven-part comedy series for 91Èȱ¬ Two from the highly acclaimed writing partnership of David Crane (Friends) and Jeffrey Klarik (Mad About You), produced by Hat Trick Productions (Outnumbered, Have I Got News For You) for Showtime (Nurse Jackie, The Tudors) and the 91Èȱ¬, for transmission from Monday 10 January 2011 at 10pm.

Episodes is the story of a happily married English couple, Sean and Beverly Lincoln, who also happen to be successful producers of a hit British TV show called Lyman's Boys.

At an awards ceremony in London they are wooed by a hugely powerful and charismatic US network executive who persuades them to move out to LA and remake their hit show for an American audience – with disastrous results.

Things begin to unravel at Sean's and Beverly's first studio meeting. It soon becomes clear that the network president has never even seen their show. To make matters worse, he insists they replace their lead actor, an erudite Royal Shakespeare Company veteran (played by Richard Griffiths) with... Matt LeBlanc. Sean and Beverly are appalled. But the decision is out of their hands.

Matt comes on board and they find themselves in a complicated triangle, which threatens to destroy not just their TV show but also their marriage.

The quintessential US comedy star Matt LeBlanc plays a larger than life version of himself. Joining him are Tamsin Greig (Tamara Drewe, Green Wing, Love Soup), Stephen Mangan (Free Agents, Never Better, Green Wing), Kathleen Rose Perkins (Without A Trace, Tell Me You Love Me), Mircea Monroe (Scrubs, Without A Trace), Daisy Haggard (Psychoville, Sense And Sensibility) and Richard Griffiths (The History Boys, Withnail And I).

Jimmy Mulville comments: "These are some of the best scripts I've read in a long time by two writers at the top of their game.

"To have the opportunity to make a show with David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, with Matt LeBlanc playing a hilarious version of himself, and then to make that show for both Showtime and the 91Èȱ¬, whose combined portfolios of comedy are second to none, is both a thrill and a great privilege. Episodes promises to be one of the great comedy treats of 2011."

David and Jeffrey add: "For the two of us to be doing a show with Matt again is a dream come true. Add to that the chance to work with talents of the calibre of Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan? Well, it doesn't get better than that."

The series was commissioned by 91Èȱ¬ Comedy and Janice Hadlow, Controller of 91Èȱ¬ Two, says: "I'm delighted that Matt LeBlanc is starring in an original comedy for 91Èȱ¬ Two, and to be working with Showtime and Hat Trick on such a unique format."

Cheryl Taylor, Controller of Comedy Commissioning, says: "The quality of the scripts from David and Jeffrey is equalled only by the pedigree of the cast and we can't wait to see Episodes on 91Èȱ¬ Two."

Matt LeBlanc adds: "This is a great idea from David and Jeffrey – I love it. I am really excited to be working with Showtime and the 91Èȱ¬. And I am also so glad I got the part; seeing someone else playing Matt LeBlanc would have been devastating."

The series is produced by David Crane, Jeffrey Klarik and Jimmy Mulville with Simon Wilson as Executive Producer for the 91Èȱ¬. James Griffiths (Free Agents) directs.

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