BBC One, though its Comedy Playhouse initiative, has ordered a new comedy pilot episode. ‘king Gary, which was written by the BAFTA-winning Murder In Successville duo of Tom Davis and James De Frond, will have its pilot broadcast on BBC One later this year.

The official press bumf describes ‘king Gary as “a larger than life working-class sitcom with a big heart”, and sums up the plot thusly:

“The story follows childhood sweethearts Gary (Davis) and Terri King (Laura Checkley), a loved-up husband and wife, and their aspirations to achieve social acceptance and moderate material success in competitive suburbia. This, accompanied by drama queen Gary’s constant need to impress his prehistoric old school Dad, Big Gary (Simon Day), and attempt to fill his big boots, equals a massive ‘try hard’ douchebag.”

“‘king Gary is a study of how the small things in life can be blown up to absurd proportions as the pressures of the modern world, and how we think we must exist within it, spiral out of control. A big comedy about life’s small and often petty dramas.”

There are also roles in the supporting cast for Camille Coduri and Romesh Ranganathan, which raises our hopes for this pilot even more.

Davis said this about the pilot being picked up:

“‘king Gary is going to be my biggest challenge yet, a proper method piece, playing a big working class wally who takes his life way too seriously, whilst everyone else thinks he is a complete joke.”

And the BBC’s Shane Allen said this:

“With ‘king Gary we will get a big daft southern comedy voice in Tom Davis at the centre of a very exciting cast. The Comedy Playhouse strand has been really prolific in launching series with the very best of emerging UK comedy talent.”

Davis and De Frond have written the pilot, and De Frond will direct it while Davis stars. Both will also take executive producer roles.

We’ll bring you more news on ‘King Gary, which certainly has our attention, as and when we hear it.