Sky 1 Sets New Show from Comedian Russell Howard

LONDON: British comedian Russell Howard has signed on to write and star in a brand-new series for Sky 1.

The 14-part weekly series will be filmed in front of a live studio audience and will be produced by Avalon Television. As part of a two-year deal, the show will first air on Sky 1 next year after Howard completes his upcoming stand-up world tour. A non-TX pilot will deliver in early December 2016.

The show will join Sky 1’s existing lineup of entertainment programs, including 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy, Wild Things and A League of Their Own. Howard’s series was ordered by Celia Taylor, Sky’s head of non-scripted commissioning, and Richard Ackerman, commissioning editor. Executive producers on the series are Richard Allen-Turner, James Taylor and Jon Thoday of Avalon Television.

Howard said: “I am delighted to be making this new show for Sky. It’s obviously the best part of a year away but I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Adam MacDonald, the director of Sky 1, commented, “Russell is brilliantly funny and I can’t wait for his intelligent and incisive wit to be a big part of Sky 1. His new show with us will be a fantastic mix of everything we love about Russell and lots of new inventive comedy. It will be an incredible addition to Sky 1.”

Jon Thoday, Avalon Television’s joint managing director, added, “We are excited to be working on a new show with Russell and delighted by Sky’s ambition for it.”