Omid Djalili has landed a key role in a US sitcom.

The Anglo-Iranian stand-up is to star alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the as-yet untitled comedy.

Its premise is that Goldberg is a former showbiz diva reduced to running a small family hotel.

Djalili, whose screen roles include appearances in The Mummy and Gladiator, will play the hotel's handyman.

NBC has agreed to a pilot edition, which will also star actor Dondre T. Whitfield, according to showbiz trade journal The Hollywood Reporter.