New sitcom Spy anchors a Friday night comedy line-up on Sky 1

It will join new episodes of A League of Their Own and an Idiot Abroad, as well as following on from American imports Modern Family and The Middle, to provide a three-hour comedy block. 

 

The full evening schedule represent the fruits of Sky's increase in original programming of 50% for the next three years, and a recolonisation of Friday night TV for comedy.

 

Although Channel 4 have moved some comedy back to the Friday night slot, it's a far cry from the full evening line-ups that Channel 4 and BBC Two used to boast. 

 

Spy follows Darren Boyd as a divorcee who is accidentally recruited to MI5 by Robert Lindsay's spy boss The Examiner. The supporting cast include Pulling's Rebekah Stanton and Horrible Histories' Matthew Baynton.

 

Other upcoming comedies on Sky 1 for autumn include Craig Cash’s The Cafe, starring Ralf Little; Ruth Jones’ Stella; Charlie Brooker’s detective spoof A Touch of Cloth; Gates starring Joanna Page, Sue Johnston and Tom Ellis; and Starlings starring Lesley Sharpe and Brendan Coyle.

 

Sky have also confirmed that supermarket sitcom Trollied will return for at least two more series.