America snaps up BBC's Manchild

Manchild, the successful BBC series starring Nigel Havers and Buffy actor Anthony Head as middle-aged men trying to relive their youth, is to be remade in the US.

Writer Nick Fisher has sold the drama to Disney-owned US producer Touchstone Television and is in talks with the CBS network about shooting an American pilot for the show.

Mr Fisher's agent, Linda Seifert, said the US version would retain Manchild's central concept of four fortysomething men refusing to act their age.

But the Touchstone version will feature an American cast and the action will be transferred to a US city.

A CBS pilot is likely to be shot next spring and if the show secures a full series commission, it will be on air in autumn 2003.

Mr Fisher is on board as a writer and executive producer of the US version of Manchild.

The BBC2 version starred Havers, Head, Ray Burdis and Don Warrington as four menopausal men attempting to come to terms with middle age.

Havers caused a stir when the show was broadcast on BBC2 earlier this year after publicity shots of his character, divorcee Terry, showed him sporting a leather jacket and riding a big motorbike.

The UK version of Manchild has already been shown in the US, on digital channel BBC America. It was pitched by the BBC as a Sex and the City for middle-aged men.

BBC2 comedies Coupling and The Office are also being adapted for the American TV market.