Comedy Commissions at the BBC

LONDON: The comedy Puppy Love has been commissioned for BBC Four, while Count Arthur Strong has been recommissioned for BBC Two.

Puppy Love comes from the creators of Getting On, Jo Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine, who write and star in the series. The show is set around a dog-training class, following two women as they deal with their headstrong dogs, teenage kids and disappointing husbands. The 6×30-minute series is a BBC In-House production in association with Woof Productions.

Count Arthur Strong debuted on BBC Two this week and has already been commissioned for a second season. It was written by Steve Delaney and Graham Linehan. Delaney also stars as ex-variety star Count Arthur Strong. Season two will have seven half-hour episodes.

Shane Allen, the BBC’s controller of comedy commissioning, said: "Puppy Love both celebrates and sends up the deeply held relationship between dogs and their owners. This is a real passion piece from Jo and Vicki who have yet again succeeded in creating a wonderful set of characters."

Allen added: "It’s a huge privilege to see Count Arthur Strong return. The combined talents of Graham Linehan, Steve Delaney and Rory Kinnear are too irresistible. This series has all the hallmarks of a BBC Two comedy classic with its superb character at the heart of it, brilliant writing and a dream supporting cast. Long may Arthur cause chaos around him."