NBC is hoping a second shot at Cuckoo will finally succeed in bringing the British series to America. The network put in a pilot order for an American remake of the series.
Cuckoo ran for two seasons in the U.K., with Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Andy Samberg starring in the first and Twilight’s Taylor Lautner starring in the second. Both actors played a woman’s American boyfriend who annoys her father. Samberg’s character was named Cuckoo.
The series also starred Greg Davies, who earned a BAFTA nomination, as the father.
According to TVLine, NBC has enlisted creators Robin French and Kieron Quirke to pen the pilot. The Simpsons’ Tim Long will executive produce.
NBC did make a put pilot commitment in 2013, but that didn’t get very far. And since Samberg is still busy with Brooklyn Nine-Nine, don’t expect him to be taking part in the American series. (Lautner’s career has stalled, so he might be available.)
Cuckoo isn’t the only foreign TV show getting an adaptation at NBC. The Hollywood Reporter notes that Australian comedy Strange Calls will be remade by the peacock. The horror comedy centers on a young police officer transferred to a haunted small town.
ABC developed Strange Calls twice and it didn’t get picked up. Perhaps a third time - and a new network - will do the job.
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