FX is trying out a peek show refresh.
The Disney-backed Basic Cable Network has launched a pilot order for an update of the UK’s best-loved series from heir creator Jesse Armstrong. Atlanta graduate student Stefani Robinson will write and executive produce the half-hour comedy that will be produced in-house through her joint agreement with FX Productions.
Armstrong, who has an exclusive master deal with HBO run by Warner Bros. Discovery, which is tied to executive producer but will not be involved in the series due to his commitments to Disney’s corporate rival and the premium cable network’s Emmy-winning drama heir.
The new one peek show will draw inspiration from the UK original and its unique narrative format. It will tell about the relationship between a patient assistant and her boss, an emotionally unstable tech entrepreneur.
Robinson, whose credits also include FX What do we do in the darkwill also do production with Armstrong and co peek show co-creators Sam Bain as well as Dianne McGunigle (Atlanta), Hannah Mackay and Ben Farrell for Objective Fiction (peek show).
This marks FX’s second attempt to correct peek show for US audiences. The network led by John Landgraf tried a similar gender-swapping update in 2019 with Karey Dornetto (Portlandia, supermarket) with the script pen. Prior to that, Starz, Fox, and Spike (current Supreme Network) attempted to update the series in 2016, 2005 and 2008, respectively.
peek show ran for nine seasons and 54 episodes in total from 2003-2015. Starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, the Channel 4 series ranks as the longest comedy series in the station’s history in terms of airtime. In 2019, peek show Named the 13th best British sitcom by Radio Times.
