‘Dinner Party’ comedy pilot for Channel 4

The Circuit, by Dennis Kelly and Sharon Horgan, will invite viewers to the worst dinner party that’s ever happened in the world anywhere. The comedy pilot commissioned by Channel 4 looks at the horror and hilarity of social engagement.

“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.” – Phil Clarke, Channel 4’s head of comedy

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 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. The Circuit also stars Paul Ready as Danny.

“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.” – Rachel Springett, comedy commissioner for Channel 4

Channel 4 will release an air date and further details at a later time.