Sky Atlantic HD kick-starts 2013 with a stellar comedy Mondays line-up

Monday 19 November 2012

9pm: Premiere of comedy shorts series COMMON PEOPLE

9.30pm: Another chance to revel in gloriously gothic HUNDERBY

10pm: Second-season debut of Lena Dunham's GIRLS

London (19 November, 2012): As part of the channel’s strategy to bring the smartest, most engaging comedy exclusively to Sky customers, Sky Atlantic HD today announces its enviable comedy slate for January 2013.

Continuing to bring customers world-class comedy from the finest talent from both on and off screen, Sky Atlantic HD’s Comedy Mondays continues from Monday 14 January with the premiere of the channel’s series of comedy shorts COMMON PEOPLE, the second-season debut of Lena Dunham’s acclaimed series GIRLS, just one day after HBO’s US premiere and another chance to see Julia Davis’ HUNDERBY.

The night of comedy kicks off at 9pm with the launch of Sky Atlantic HD’s latest original comedy series written by and starring some of the UK’s best-loved comedy talent – COMMON PEOPLE. A series of 10 short films linked by the same South London location, the comedies will feature the likes of Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) Johnny Vegas (Benidorm, Little Crackers), Katy Brand (Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show) and Jessica Hynes (Twenty Twelve).

At 9.30pm, Sky Atlantic HD is giving viewers another opportunity to revel in the gloriously gothic world of Julia Davis’ dark comedy HUNDERBY. Set in the 1800’s and populated by the requisite cast of fiends, physicians, hunchbacks, wastrels, maids, crones, and an adorable puppy called Susan, HUNDERBY oozes the absurd humour that has become the BAFTA® nominated writer and actress’ trademark.

Then at 10pm, the new, second season of Lena Dunham’s GIRLS will premiere on the channel just one day after it returns in the US. Accruing an ardent fan base, Emmy nominations and critical acclaim, GIRLS’ brilliant first run blew a Lena Dunham-shaped hole in the televisual landscape. Now, its prodigious creator and star is set to deliver a sophomore season packed with more insightful humour, sexual mishaps and twentysomething tribulations. Guest stars already lined up to appear in the second season of GIRLS include Community’s Donald Glover, Rita Wilson (It’s Complicated) as Marnie’s mum and Patrick Wilson (Young Adult) as hunky doctor Joshua. Chris O’Dowd (Moone Boy) will also return in the role of venture capitalist Thomas-John.

And this is just the beginning of Sky Atlantic HD’s 2013 comedy line-up, which also includes original commissions such as SET LIST, a fully improvised stand-up show in which the cream of the comedy circuit must come up with a brand new routine on the spot; the second series of Jack Dee’s DON’T SIT IN THE FRONT ROW, in which the master of dead-pan is joined by a host of Britain’s top comedians in a show in which the studio audience take centre stage, as well as the return of Armando Iannucci’s Emmy award-winning HBO satire VEEP, with further comedy commissions and acquisitions to be announced in the New Year.

As part of Sky’s commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years, the channel will continue to invest in and showcase bold, smart and grown up comedy, ensuring that the greatest comedy talent are given the creative freedom to make truly original, distinctive shows.

COMMON PEOPLE starts Monday 14^th January, 9pm, Sky Atlantic HD, Sky Atlantic +1 and on the move with Sky Go.

HUNDERBY starts Monday 14^th January, 9.30pm, Sky Atlantic HD, Sky Atlantic +1 and on the move with Sky Go.

GIRLS returns Monday 14^th January, 10pm, Sky Atlantic HD, Sky Atlantic +1 and on the move with Sky Go.