BBC America Commissions First Scripted Comedy Series

BBC America will add scripted shows to its original programming lineup this June with  the premiere of Almost Royal, the network announced Tuesday.

The series, which follows the lives of two young British aristocrats on their first trip to the U.S, will debut on June 21 following the season two finale of its popular drama series Orphan Black, said network officials. Clive Tulloh (Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man, The Dame Edna Treatment, High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman) will serve as executive producer of the series, which will star Ed Gamble and Amy Hoggart.

While Almost Royal is the first original scripted comedy for BBC America, the network has offered other acquired British-based comedies including Absolutely Fabulous, Twenty Twelve, The Inbetweeners, The Thick Of It and The Office.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.