Arrested Development comes to UK

The BBC has brought the rights to air hit American sitcom Arrested Development this autumn.

The Fox sitcom, which has been nominated for a Golden Globe award, will air on BBC2and BBC4 in the autumn.

It chronicles the life of the Bluth family after its patriach, George ­ played by Jeffrey Tambor, hapless Hank from The Larry Sanders Show - is arrested for dodgy accounting practices.

The series, which launched in the States in November, is narrated by Happy Days star turned cdirector Ron Howard.

It proved an instant hit with critics. Variety said: "Fox has... been able to do what no other network has been able to: put an entirely fresh spin on the half-hour laffer", while USA Today called it "the best new sitcom of the season".

Arrested Development has been nominated for best TV musical or comedy in the Golden Globes, the same category as Ricky Gervais' UK sitcom The Office.

Published: 4 Jan 2004