Another stab at a U.S. adaptation of Peep Show is reportedly in the works. The British cult comedy follows Mark and Jeremy, two dysfunctional flatmates who get themselves involved in increasingly cringe-inducing situations as they navigate their ordinary, day-to-day lives. Peep Show garnered acclaim for its unique way of telling its story, with the show shot exclusively via point-of-view, and the thoughts of its characters used as voiceovers.
And now, per THR, FX is looking to build on Peep Show's success with a U.S. adaptation. The network has ordered a half-hour Peep Show pilot, with Atlanta's Stefani Robinson set to write and executive produce. Peep Show creator Jesse Armstrong will also be on hand to get the show off the ground, with Armstong also set to executive produce the show's pilot. Despite using the British comedy classic for its foundations, the show's main characters will differ from Mark and Jez, with the characters described as "a long-suffering assistant and her boss, an emotionally unstable tech entrepreneur".
Why Peep Show Is Such An Iconic British Comedy
Across its 9 seasons, Peep Show established itself as an icon of British TV, and it's easy to see why. For over a decade, Peep Show entertained through its unconventional method of storytelling, detailing the lives of unremarkable people, the bad things they do - and their even worse thoughts. Despite Peep Show's characters Mark, Jez, and Super Hans often portraying themselves as terrible individuals, the show's sharp wit and brutal honesty meant viewers could find something relatable in its bleak, but hilarious, landscape.
But how Peep Show will translate to a whole new audience is an interesting challenge for Robinson and Co. to overcome. The adaptation's choice to refocus the show on entirely new characters is perhaps the best way forward. Shows that have mirrored their source material too closely, like The Inbetweeners, have been less than popular, so using Peep Show as a base for the adaptation to build off is the best way for the U.S. version to stand on its own two feet and follow in the footsteps of The Office and other shows' with UK roots to become hit Americanized shows.
This isn't, however, the first attempt to adapt Peep Show. The show has been through similar processes before, with several networks, including FX, failing to adapt the show successfully. That said, with Robinson's track record - and Armstong offering a helping hand - the latest attempt to bring Peep Show's unique wit to a wider audience seems to be in good hands. If everything goes smoothly from here, it hopefully will not be too long before the U.S. adaptation of the hit series begins releasing new episodes.
Source: THR