Chris O’Dowd has begun production on his latest series ‘Family Tree’ in London.
The Roscommon actor is starring in the Christopher Guest-created documentary-style comedy series, which is being produced by the BBC and HBO.
As reported on IFTN last August, O’Dowd is playing the lead character of 30 year-old Tom Chadwick. Having recently lost his job and his girlfriend, Chadwick embarks on a journey of self-discovery after his aunt leaves him a mysterious box in her will.
Filming got underway in London on October 25, and is expected to continue to shoot in the UK until the end of 2012, when the production will then move to LA.
Guest, best known for his hit comedy ‘This Is Spinal Tap’, has written the script and will direct and produce the series. His co-writing partner Jim Piddock will co-produce, with Karen Murphy for Lucky Giant and Chris Sussman for the BBC.
Speaking of the production, Guest said: “I am also delighted to welcome myself to BBC Television. I am very lucky to be working with an incredibly talented cast. Chris O’Dowd has been on my radar ever since he was a child actor in Wales.”
‘Family Tree’ was ordered as a straight-to-series project by HBO earlier this year, and will air on BBC America and BBC Two simultaneously in spring 2013.
Nina Conti (For Your Consideration) will play O’Dowd’s sister in the show and Tom Bennett (The Hunt For Tony Blair) will play his best friend. Also cast are Ed Begley Jr, Maria Blasucci, Matt Griesser, Don Lake, Michael McKean, Lisa Palfrey, Amy Seimetz and Fred Willard, as well as co-creators Christopher Guest and Jim Piddock.
O’Dowd said: “I’m terribly excited and monumentally under-qualified to work on an improvised show with Chris Guest. I call him Chris ‘coz we are friends. He calls me George. I don’t know why.”
The ‘Bridesmaid’ star has recently wrapped filming on the second series of his Sky One show ‘Moone Boy’, which he co-writes with Nick Vincent Murphy, as well as the John Michael McDonagh feature ‘Calvary’.
‘Family Tree’ was commissioned for the BBC by BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow and executive editor of BBC Comedy Chris Sussman. It is slated for a spring air date.
