Kiwi stars in sitcom

Jarred Christmas. Photo / Supplied

Jarred Christmas is the latest Kiwi comedian to make it big in Britain.

The Christchurch comic stars in The Persuasionists, a primetime sitcom on the BBC.

The 30-year-old plays Clive John, the brash Aussie boss of an advertising agency who revels in using his position to intimidate his staff.

The role puts him in an elite group of New Zealand comedians to enjoy attention in Britain that includes Flight of the Conchords and Rhys Darby.

Christmas, who moved to London a decade ago, said he auditioned a couple of years ago, and beat former Neighbours star Craig McLachlan to the job.

It's his small screen big break after 10 increasingly successful years as a stand-up comedian.

He performs regularly at London's top comedy venues and runs a monthly showcase for New Zealand comics and those who have performed here.

It's a far cry from his first paid gig, when he earned $10 for five minutes at the Green Room in Christchurch, after being booked by Darby and his future wife Rosie Carnahan.

Christmas is now settled in London with wife Amelia and their 5-month-old daughter Maggie.