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LONDON - Matt Lucas and David Walliams are to make a US version of their hit comedy series Little Britain, a spokesman for the actors has announced.
The actors will appear in six half-hour episodes of the television sketch show on HBO, the channel that promoted The Sopranos and Sex and the City and fellow Briton Ali G.
The series, which made the characters Vicky Pollard and "I'm the only gay in the village" Daffyd famous, will feature a mix of existing characters from their BBC shows and new ones who will depict contemporary America.
Shooting will begin in the US this autumn, with the series expected to go on air in 2008.
The US series will be executive produced by Simon Fuller, who was behind the Spice Girls and Pop Idol.
"We're very keen to take Little Britain to as wide an audience as possible, so we're looking forward to working in the States," said Walliams.
"We have grown up with huge respect for American comedy, so going to work there with HBO, which is the home of some great talent, will be a great experience for both of us."
It is not known yet which of their spoof characters will be among the characters making the transition.
Fuller described the series as "something original and definitive".
"The show is an absolute smash everywhere it is seen and I am certain it is going to be loved by a US TV audience as well," Fuller said.
Little Britain started on BBC radio before transferring to BBC television in 2003.
- REUTERS