Hopes for a US version of BBC Four political comedy The Thick of It have been revived.

Though a pilot of the Stateside version had already been produced, ABC decided not to pick up the show for a series at last month's New York upfronts.

Other US networks including HBO and NBC are now reported to be interested in the Armando Iannucci sitcom. Recently appointed co-chairman of entertainment at NBC, Ben Silverman, was previously successful in developing UK hit The Office for the US.

Showtime, which initially lost out in a bidding war with ABC, has also renewed its interest in the comedy.