Simon Bird & Jonny Sweet Sign with BBC Studios

BBC Studios has entered into a development, production and distribution partnership agreement with the award-winning comedy talents Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet.

BBC Studios will hold global rights on all new scripted TV programs co-developed, co-produced and commissioned from BBC Studios Productions and People Person Pictures, the new company formed by Bird and Sweet.

Bird and Sweet have been involved in comedy titles such as the BAFTA Award-winning The Inbetweeners, Friday Night Dinner and Johnny English, and co-wrote and starred in the Sky One comedy Chickens.

Josh Cole, head of comedy at BBC Studios Production, said: “We are long-time admirers of Simon and Jonny’s work—they are not only exceptionally gifted writers and performers but also producers, working closely with the industry’s most exciting, emerging comic talent. We’ve wanted this to happen for a long time and can’t wait to get started.”

Jonathan Blyth, director of comedy at BBC Studios Content Partnerships, added: “There is strong international appetite for Simon and Jonny’s warm and irreverent brand of comedy. We are thrilled to be partnering with them to help bring their brilliant projects to life for both U.K. and global audiences.”

Bird and Sweet said: “BBC Studios has been the beating heart of British comedy for decades and we’re humbled to be joining its ranks. We look forward to continuing the work we started at Guilty Party Pictures, putting writers and comedians at the center of the production process, to create inventive, diverse, high-quality television.”