Julia Davis to write, star in Sky Atlantic comedy 'Hunderby'

Sky Atlantic has commissioned a new show from writer and actress Julia Davis.

Hunderby - an 1800s-set black comedy - will tell the story of Helene, a shipwreck survivor who is washed ashore near a small English village.

After marrying widowed pastor Edmund, Helene falls under the watchful eye of his housekeeper, the obsessive and interfering Dorothy (Davis).

"I'm so excited to be making a series for Sky Atlantic HD, a channel that has so many of my favourite shows from around the world," said Nighty Night star Davis.

Sky's head of comedy Lucy Lumsden added: "The genius of Julia Davis comes to Sky Atlantic HD. Her sick and twisted sense of humour has found its natural home and we can't wait to unleash it on to our customers later this year."

Hunderby is a Baby Cow Production for Sky Atlantic, and will be executive produced by Armando Ianucci, Henry Normal and Lindsay Hughes. The Royle Family's John Rushton will produce, with Nighty Night's Tony Dow directing.

The seven-part series is expected to enter production soon and will air on Sky Atlantic HD in summer 2012.

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