‘Nighty Night’ creator films new comedy pilot for Channel 4

Julia Davis is developing a new comedy for Channel 4 set in the world of breakfast television.

The actress and writer has already filmed a pilot for Morning Has Broken, which aims to take a cutting look at early riser shows like Good Morning Britain and BBC Breakfast.

At present, the pilot isn’t expected to be broadcast, but it’s conceived as “a sideswipe at the foibles of the genre” according to the RadioTimes, and apparently “takes no prisoners”.

Davis is best known for creating and starring in pitch-black BBC2 comedy Nighty Night, in which she played Jill Tyrell, the sociopathic wife of a cancer sufferer. The show’s notorious story lines included Jill’s campaign to steal her wheelchair-bound neighbour’s husband, played by Angus Deayton. She later created and starred in Sky Atlantic’s BAFTA-winning historical comedy Hunderby.

“Julia Davis has shown with work like Nighty Night and Hunderby that she can mine rich comedy from the darkest material”, a source explained. “Expect more of the same with Morning Has Broken”.

If commissioned for a full series, Morning Has Broken will join a new wave of original Channel 4 shows in development including Russell T Davies’ forthcoming gay-themed drama Cucumber and Caitlin Moran’s council estate sitcom Raised By Wolves.