HBO Remaking Brit Medical Comedy 'Getting On'

Television

by Joe Cunningham
August 15, 2012 11:21 AM
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Not terribly well-known even in its native UK, “Getting On” has certainly been a hit with British critics. Airing on niche channel BBC4 (that’s why it's little seen and little known) the sitcom has aired for two seasons and a total of nine episodes since 2009 and follows the medical staff on a women’s geriatric extended care wing at a run-down hospital. Created by and starring Jo Brand (who won a BAFTA for her performance), Joanna Scanlon and Vicki Pepperdine, the Peter Capaldi (“In The Loop”)-directed show has a third season in the works.

But not only that, "Getting On" now has an unlikely U.S. remake in the works over at HBO thanks to “Big Love” creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer who were attracted to the comic but compassionate BBC series for a number of reasons. “When we proposed the reformat to BBC Worldwide and HBO, the issues in elder care were very personal to both of us; Mark’s and my mother were in their 90s and attending to their care had come to be a big part of our lives. Getting On nailed that world with its deadpan humor and deep humanity,” said Scheffer.

“Getting On” represents another comedy with a British connection for HBO, following on from Armando Iannucci’s “Veep,” “Life’s Too Short” and the recently commissioned Stephen Merchant vehicle “Hello Ladies.” It will also strengthen their relationship with The Beeb with the two companies seeming to be collaborating more and more frequently of late. It seems to be a mutually beneficial relationship and one which we hope will continue. Their most recent collaboration, the period drama “Parade’s End” starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall debuts on BBC2 on August 24th so it shouldn’t be too long before it airs on HBO too. Check out the very first episode of "Getting On" below. [Deadline]