Richard Curtis Commissions First Audio Sitcom For BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 has commissioned Greatest Living Writer, a ten part audio sitcom written by Richard Curtis. The series features Bill Nighy as John Westlake, a globally recognized writer lacking social skills. The cast includes Nicola Walker, Nick Mohammed, Meera Syal, Jim Broadbent, and Madelyn Smedley.

The series is a Goldhawk production, a label of Platform Media. Production credits include Emma Hearn, John Scott Dryden, and Alex Hollands, with Emma Freud serving as script editor. Richard Curtis wrote the scripts in a 15 minute format. Emma Freud stated this is the first sitcom Curtis has written since Blackadder, The Vicar of Dibley, and Mr Bean.

The commission is part of a wider comedy slate for the network. BBC Radio 4 has also commissioned new stand up content for the Stand-Up Specials feed on BBC Sounds, including a project from Bella Hull titled Guide to More or Less Being Ok.

Greatest Living Writer will be available as a boxset on BBC Sounds starting 14 December. The linear broadcast begins on BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day at 23:00.