Kutcher working on new MTV series

Weeks after apparently deciding to call it a day with Punk'd, Ashton Kutcher is working on a new show for MTV, according to the Hollywood Reporter today.

The actor's production company, Katalyst Films, is said to be working on a new hidden-camera comedy series called My New Best Friend for broadcast later this year.

Based on a British series of the same name, the programme sees a contestant trying to convince close friends and family that a person they've never met before is the new best friend. The 'friend' is actually an actor who tries to make the contestant's job as difficult as possible by behaving inappropriately. If successful, the contestant walks away with a cash prize.

"We looked at 'Punk'd' as a great platform for improv actors," said Jason Goldberg, co-principal at Katalyst. "This is also a show where improv actors really take it to the limit."

Kutcher will co-executive produce My New Best Friend but is unlikely to host the show.