Bill Nighy attending a red carpet event
TV & Film

Bill Nighy to Star in Richard Curtis' New Audio Sitcom 'Greatest Living Writer'

The iconic creator of 'Love Actually' and 'Blackadder' returns to sitcom writing for the first time in nearly two decades.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

Richard Curtis is officially stepping back into the sitcom arena, but his latest project comes with a unique audio twist. The legendary comedy mind behind cultural juggernauts like *Blackadder*, *The Vicar of Dibley*, and *Mr. Bean* is launching his very first sitcom in almost two decades — and it is heading straight to radio. Titled *Greatest Living Writer*, the audio comedy series is currently in production for BBC Radio 4. Oscar-nominated actor Bill Nighy takes center stage as an eccentric, socially clumsy literary icon who struggles to function normally despite his monumental reputation in the publishing world.

What is Richard Curtis' new sitcom Greatest Living Writer about?

The upcoming radio series follows Nighy's titular author as he navigates the hilarious friction between his artistic genius and his absolute lack of basic social skills. It marks Curtis’ first formal return to the scripted sitcom format since finishing his beloved television series runs nearly 20 years ago. Curtis built a global reputation by writing iconic romantic comedies like *Love Actually*, *Notting Hill*, and *Four Weddings and a Funeral*, alongside his genre-defining TV comedies. Shifting to an audio format gives the acclaimed screenwriter a fresh sandbox for his signature observational humor and quick-witted dialogue without visual distractions.

Bill Nighy attending a red carpet event
Bill Nighy attending a red carpet event

Who is in the cast of Greatest Living Writer on BBC Radio 4?

To bring the audio script to life, Curtis has assembled a heavyweight line-up of beloved British screen talent. Alongside Nighy, the audio sitcom stars television favorite Nicola Walker and Oscar-winning acting legend Jim Broadbent. The star-studded voice cast also features *Ted Lasso* actor Nick Mohammed, acclaimed comedy veteran Meera Syal, and reality television breakout Madelyn Smedley, who previously won over audiences on BBC's hit series *The Traitors*. With such a stacked ensemble backing Curtis' long-awaited return to episodic comedy writing, *Greatest Living Writer* is already shaping up to be one of the year's most anticipated audio entertainment releases for BBC Radio 4 listeners. Further broadcast dates and episode counts are expected to be announced by the network soon.

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People also ask

What is Richard Curtis' new sitcom?
Richard Curtis is creating 'Greatest Living Writer', an audio sitcom for BBC Radio 4 about a socially awkward literary legend.
Who stars in Greatest Living Writer?
The audio series stars Bill Nighy alongside Nicola Walker, Jim Broadbent, Nick Mohammed, Meera Syal, and Madelyn Smedley.