Friends star returns to TV

Matt LeBlanc will star as himself in a new six-part BBC seriesÂ…

11:55 02 October 2009

Former Friends star Matt LeBlanc is making a comeback to TV screens. He will star as himself in a send-up of the television industry.

The six-part series called 'Episodes' will premiere next year on BBC2.

Shooting in London and Los Angeles, the satire tells story of an unsuspecting British couple who try to recreate their UK comedy hit in the lion's den of American TV, with terrible results.

'Episodes' was written by 'Friends' co-creator David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, famed for 'Mad About You'.

The new show is a co-production with US broadcaster Showtime. It also involves British company Hat Trick Productions.

LeBlanc joked: "I am also so glad I got the part; seeing someone else playing Matt LeBlanc would have been devastating."

Jimmy Mulville, who is one of the show's producers, said: "These are some of the best scripts I've read in a long time by two writers at the top of their game.

"To have the opportunity to make a show with David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, with Matt LeBlanc playing a hilarious version of himself, and then to make that show for both Showtime and the BBC, whose combined portfolios of comedy are second to none, is both a thrill and a great privilege.

"Episodes promises to be one of the great comedy treats for 2010."

Matt LeBlanc found fame playing Joey Tribbiani in the wildly popular sitcom 'Friends'. A spin-off show, 'Joey' based on the same character, was less successful. He has also starred in the film 'Lost in Space'.