BBC America Bulks Up Comedy Block

NEW YORK: Among the programs headed to BBC America’s new comedy block, Ministry of Laughs, is the original British series Free Agents, which was recently picked up by NBC for a U.S. treatment.

The 6×30-minute Free Agents stars Anthony Head (Buffy, Little Britain), Stephen Mangan (Episodes, Green Wing) and Sharon Horgan (Pulling, Angelo’s). Debuting October 1 on BBC America, the series features Head as a brash, go-getter of a boss who encourages open discussions of everyone’s sex lives. He is quick to offer advice to his employee played by Mangan, who’s just gone through a divorce and has a one-night stand with a colleague, played by Horgan, whose fiancé just passed away.

Also headed to the Ministry of Laughs comedy block is Friday Night Dinner, about a traditional but not strictly observant Jewish family, the Goodmans. The show, created by Robert Popper (South Park, Peep Show), is set to premiere July 30. Popper commented: "I’m so excited Friday Night Dinner is coming to BBC America. I mean, what could be better? The BBC and America—together. Hoorah!"

Outnumbered makes its BBC America debut on July 30 as well. The comedy features two parents, played by Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner, and their three children, who are locked in an unequal battle. The show presents the world as much from the children’s point of view as from the adult’s.