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Martin Freeman is returning to FX.
The former Fargo lead is set to star in the comedy Breeders, which has been picked up to series at FX.
The 10-episode project, a co-production between FX Productions, Avalon Television and Sky Original Productions, hails from creators Freeman, Simon Blackwell and Chris Addison (Veep). Daisy Haggard (Episodes) is set to co-star.
FX describes Breeders as a series that “exposes the parental-paradox that it is possible, in the very same moment, to love your child to the horizon of the universe, while being apoplectically angry enough to want to send them there. Martin Freeman stars as a caring father discovering he’s not quite the man he thought he was.”
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“Martin Freeman is an incredibly versatile artist who is perfectly paired with the wonderfully talented Daisy Haggard in Breeders,” said FX president of originals Nick Grad. “We enjoyed working with Martin on the first installment of Fargo and are delighted that he is executive producing along with Simon Blackwell and Chris Addison. We also appreciate the chance to partner with Avalon Television and Sky Original Productions to bring this new comedy series to audiences worldwide.”
Blackwell will serve as showrunner and executive produce alongside Addison, Freeman, Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, David Martin, Jon Thoday and Michael Wiggs. Breeders was commissioned for Sky by director of programming Zai Bennett and head of comedy Jon Mountague, with Josh Cole set oversee for the company. Ben Palmer will also exec produce and direct the first five episodes.
“I’m delighted to be making Breeders with a team that can make me laugh whilst we look at some of the less-discussed truths and challenges of being a parent,” said Freeman. “I really love this project and am delighted to be working with FX and Sky.”
For his part, Freeman’s TV credits include Crackle’s StartUp, BBC’s Sherlock, the original The Office and Fargo. On the big screen, he has had roles in Black Panther, Captain America: Civil War, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, The Hobbit and more. Freeman is repped by UTA, Creative Artists Management and Felker Toczek.
“I am very excited about making Breeders, to the point of being told to go to bed and stop showing off,” Blackwell said.
Added Addison: “It’s a treat to be cooking up stuff with my old comrade Simon Blackwell and the peerless Martin Freeman. We’re very excited that FX and Sky have agreed to finance what is effectively us working through some of our own issues in the form of 10 half-hour sitcom episodes. Usually you have to pay for your own therapy.”
Blackwell’s credits include consulting for an episode on HBO’s Succession, writing and co-exec producing HBO’s Veep and multiple British series. He is with CAA and PBJ Management.
Breeders arrives as FX has found success with the Australian import Mr Inbetween, which was picked up for a second season last week. Breeders joins a comedy roster at the soon-to-be Disney-owned basic cable network that also includes Atlanta, Baskets, Better Things and the upcoming What We Do in the Shadows and Devs.
Haggard is repped by WME and Troika.
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