
Hot British comedy format Spy is heading to ABC‘s primetime. The network has ordered a pilot for an adaptation of the 2011 Sky 1 comedy produced by Hat Trick Prods. The original series’ creator Simeon Goulden wrote the U.S. version, which had a put pilot commitment from ABC. ABC Studios and Hat Trick produce, with Goulden and Hat Trick’s Jimmy Mulville and Helen Williams executive producing. Spy centers on a well intentioned father of a highly intelligent and verbal son, who also happens to be his complete opposite, who inadvertently takes a job at the Secret Service in order to prove himself a worthy father.
The original series starred Darren Boyd. After a successful six-episode first-season run, Sky 1 renewed Spy for a second season with a supersized order (for British standards) for 10 episodes and a Christmas special. In the U.S., the series is available on Hulu, where it is a top performer. This marks the latest U.S. project for Hat Track, one of UK’s most successful independent production companies.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.


OMG THIS IS THE BEST BRITISH SHOW OF ALL TIME! The first season was TV perfection.
I won’t be watching any abc shows come next season as they killed they best new show by giving it a time slot where no show has survived past the first season in over 3 years… Yes I’m talking about last resort.., they should have given that s,it to me of their aging dramas such as greys anatomy or keeping unscripted programs their
HAT TRACK. I want to race my hat on that.
FIrst season was amazing! The second season has been bad. I mean, I don’t even watch anymore bad. I hope they can bring in clever writers for the US version because the UK version is turning out to be a one trick pony.
While the first season was much better, the second was also good. And the finale was hilarious.
Great news! I love this show, and the humor is very universal, so it should have no problem transferring over.
Casting recommendations:
Tim- Scott Foley (if The Goodwin Games gets cancelled)
Marcus- Benjamin Stockham (if 1600 Penn gets cancelled)
Alice- Andrea Anders
Judith- Judy Greer
Philip- Jonathan Slavin
The Examiner- Kurtwood Smith
I honestly have no clue who to cast as Chris. Andy Samberg MIGHT work if he was available, but he isn’t. Baynton really kills it in that role. And I don’t know whether they would chose to have a Paula or Owen type character. Although I think Jeff Goldblum would make a pretty hilarious social worker.
Unless, Goulden chooses to do a more loose adaptation, which would work for me.
Colin Ferguson would also work for Tim. Rob Huebel would be great, but I fear his style of humor wouldn’t work for the show.
Thomas Lennon would also be great as Owen, and Robin Williams would kill as The Examiner (if The Crazy Ones doesn’t get ordered).
I vote Mason Cook for Marcus since Mockingbird Lane got cancelled!
Technically Mockingbird Lane was never picked up, so it couldn’t get cancelled.
Jeremy Zorek, from those Kraft mac and Cheese commercials would be great as Marcus. Same deadpan style!
Troll Parent? Eesh.
Spy is a great show. Comical etc…, I could see it going on for years if they schedule right.