Oscar-winning British director to work on new police series Babylon as part of broadcaster's new programming schedule
Channel 4 has enticed Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle to make a rare foray into television in the form of a new comedy drama that will air next year.
Channel 4 has commissioned Boyle a pilot, titled Babylon, that is set in the world of modern policing. The pilot, which could be developed into a series, will be written by BAFTA winners Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. The pair have credits including Fresh Meat, Peep Show and the suicide bomber comedy film Four Lions.
Boyle, who received critical acclaim for his direction of the opening and closing ceremonies for the London Olympics last year, is not thought to have worked on a television commission since developing a movie in 2011.
Channel 4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt, who also unveiled two further commissions, said the new programming was a prime example of where the tens of millions of pounds freed up by dropping Big Brother had been re-invested.
"This is the Big Brother dividend," she said at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.
Channel 4 has also commissioned a "sweeping period saga" called Indian Summers. Set in 1932, the 10-part epic will tell the "rich and explosive story of the decline of the British empire and the birth of modern India". It is being made by production company New Pictures.
Channel 4 has also commissioned a four-part documentary series exploring the treatment of the mentally ill, which currently has the working title The Maudsley, as it is being filmed at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
The series is to be produced by Garden Productions, which makes shows including 24 Hours in A&E and Inside Claridges.
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Channel 4 has enticed Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle to make a rare foray into television in the form of a new comedy drama that will air next year.
Channel 4 has commissioned Boyle a pilot, titled Babylon, that is set in the world of modern policing. The pilot, which could be developed into a series, will be written by BAFTA winners Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. The pair have credits including Fresh Meat, Peep Show and the suicide bomber comedy film Four Lions.
Boyle, who received critical acclaim for his direction of the opening and closing ceremonies for the London Olympics last year, is not thought to have worked on a television commission since developing a movie in 2011.
Channel 4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt, who also unveiled two further commissions, said the new programming was a prime example of where the tens of millions of pounds freed up by dropping Big Brother had been re-invested.
"This is the Big Brother dividend," she said at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.
Channel 4 has also commissioned a "sweeping period saga" called Indian Summers. Set in 1932, the 10-part epic will tell the "rich and explosive story of the decline of the British empire and the birth of modern India". It is being made by production company New Pictures.
Channel 4 has also commissioned a four-part documentary series exploring the treatment of the mentally ill, which currently has the working title The Maudsley, as it is being filmed at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
The series is to be produced by Garden Productions, which makes shows including 24 Hours in A&E and Inside Claridges.
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.