Absolutely Fabulous News: Two New Series with Jennifer Saunders Announced

Crack open the Bollie, sweetie darlings!

Cabler BBC America has ordered two new comedy series from Absolutely Fabulous creator Jennifer Saunders, who will write, star, and exec produce these series (with The Office's Jon Plowman), both co-productions between Auntie Beeb and its Stateside offshoot.

First up, is the seven-episode black comedy Clatterford, which sees Saunders reunited with Ab Fab partner in crime Joanna Lumley. For the ladies of Clatterford, a small English country town, life in their book club is peaceful and orderly... until the arrival of a new member (Waking the Dead's Sue Johnston), freshly widowed, casts their tranquil little coterie into gossip. Saunders will play Caroline, a notorious busy-body, while Lumley will play a mischief-making eccentric named Delilah Stagg. (Also look for Peep Show's David Mitchell to turn up as a rather sensible doctor.)

The casting marks the first time that the twosome, who played Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone on Ab Fab for five seasons together, have reunited since that series ended in 2003. Clatterford is expected to premiere on BBC America in the first quarter of 2007.

Next up is a seven episode order for The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle, starring Jennifer Saunders and Miranda Richardson in a more, er, estrogen-rich version of The Larry Sanders Show. Saunders is Vivienne Vyle, a much beloved host of a live television therapy show, while Richardson plays her ambitious producer Helena. Vivienne Vyle is written by Jennifer Saunders and Tanya Byron.

I don't know about you, but this is the best news I've heard since Lacroix left Patou to start his own couture house. Or something like that, anyway.