Dennis Kelly (Utopia) and Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) have written a new comedy pilot for Channel 4 about “the horror and hilarity of social engagement.”

The writers previously worked together on BBC Three’s Pulling and joked: “It has taken just 10 short years for us to agree to work together again. It was a mistake.”

Phil Clarke, Channel 4’s Head of Comedy commented: “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 added: “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.”

The cast for The Circuit includes Adeel Akhtar (Utopia), Eva Birthistle (Waking the Dead), Tobias Menzies (Game of Thrones) and Nicola Walker (Spooks).

The official synopsis reads: “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 reason they left isn’t immediately clear but they’re here now and trying to make the best of it.

“They go to one 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.”

Are you looking forward to The Circuit? Let us know below…