New pilot from Sharon Horgan commissioned

A pilot written by Dennis Kelly and Sharon Horgan has been commissioned for a full series by Channel 4.

The Circuit, which centres on the horror and hilarity of social engagement, marks the first collaboration in ten years for Kelly and Horgan, who previously co-wrote acclaimed sitcom Pulling.

In The Circuit, Gabe (Adeel Akhtar) and Nat (Eva Birthistle) have left their wonderful old life and moved to an area where people seem to oscillate somewhere between highly-strung and psychopathic.

The couple attend a dinner party hosted by neighbour Helene (Victoria Hamilton) and her husband Sasha (Tobias Menzies) with fellow prisoners Danny (Paul Ready), Marty (Nicola Walker) and her girlfriend Angie (Desiree Akhavan), and so begins a descent into hell and Goulash, from which no one will ever fully recover.

Phil Clarke, Channel 4’s head of comedy said: “The pitch for The Circuit was irresistible. The premise – that everyone hates going to dinner parties but goes anyway – is a great starting place for a comedy.

“Plus, the prospect of a script from Sharon Horgan and Dennis Kelly, writing together again for the first time since Pulling, was incredibly exciting. The script didn’t disappoint, and I am delighted that we are now making a pilot.”

Rachel Springett, comedy commissioner for Channel 4 said: “We can’t wait to see this stellar cast breathe life into Dennis and Sharon’s fabulous script. It’s a very exciting project which we are thrilled to be making with them.”

Kelly and Horgan, who will also executive produce, said: “It has taken just 10 short years for us to agree to work together again. It was a mistake.”