Wilfred lands US pilot with FX

SBS comedy Wilfred, the cult comedy starring a guy in a dog suit, is to be given a US pilot adaptation by the FX Network.

Jason Gann, who plays the title role of the cynical mutt, will play the part in the US version.

The series is to be adapted by David Zuckerman (Family Guy) with Gann as a co-producer.

In a statement Zuckerman said, “Wilfred is about a guy, the girl next door, and mixed-breed dog, Wilfred, who is part Labrador retriever and part Russell Crowe on a bender.

“Jason Gann is one of the funniest, most twisted minds I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, despite being a foreigner and therefore untrustworthy. And I’m thrilled to be part of the FX family — their support and enthusiasm has been extraordinary.”

Co star and co-creator Adam Zwar told TV Tonight, “It’s such an honour for an idea that was a seven minute short film that we funded ourselves, a pilot which we funded ourselves, two series which we got up with SBS and is now going to find an international audience.

“It’s amazing and a great privilege.”

The US deal came about after Renegade Productions met with high-powered International Creative Management, who began pursuing potential deals in the US. Gann has been living in the US as the development deal was progressing, but recently returned for the Logie Awards where the show was nominated for Most Outstanding Light Entertainment.

Gann, Zwar and director Tony Rogers originally created the series as a short film for Tropfest before it was adapted as a series with Renegade Productions for SBS. The show was recently criticised in the media for its anarchic humour, inclusion of marijuana, language and sex parody scenes, but the US pilot today effectively endorses the development funding from SBS and Screen Australia.

Zwar, who is currently appearing in his own comedy Lowdown on ABC1, believes the ‘Adam’ character will no longer live with Wilfred but becomes a next door neighbour.

“I think his name might be ‘Ryan’ and he’s a lot more depressed than Adam.”

He said the show would hopefully follow the success of NZ comedy troupe Flight of the Conchords and joked that he hoped it will fare better than some US  television adaptations.

“Probably a multicam sitcom in front of a live audience would be my worst nightmare! The Two and Half Men version of Wilfred would be interesting!”