Steve Carell turns TV producer

Rex Features

Get Smart star Steve Carell has launched his own television production company.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the comic's Carousel Productions has signed a three-year deal with Universal Media Studios.

Thom Hinkle and Campbell Smith, who worked with Carell on The Daily Show, will run Carousel's TV operations.

NBC's president of primetime entertainment Angela Bromstad, who made the deal with Carell, was a big campaigner for the actor's popular comedy series The Office during its low-rated early series.

Carell, who is also a writer and producer on The Office, is currently signed up for big screen projects including Get Smart 2, whimsical comedy The Beaver, Napoleonic war film Brigadier Gerard and animated feature Despicable Me.