Airdate: Bored to Death

Next week ABC2 premieres Bored to Death, HBO’s ‘noir-rotic comedy’ about a Brooklyn writer who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective.

The half hour comedy stars Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore, Cracking Up), Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson. It has previously aired on Pay TV and on ABC1.

Based on the semi-autobiographical musings of author Jonathan Ames, Bored to Death is the story of noir-fiction-obsessed writer Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman) who, following a breakup with his girlfriend Suzanne (Olivia Thirlby), impulsively decides to list his private-detective services on a local classifieds site – even though he’s unlicensed and lacking experience. In between avoiding work on his second novel, writing for a magazine run by his eccentric boss George (Ted Danson), and passing time with his best friend Ray (Zach Galifianakis), Jonathan embraces his new career as a noir-detective, but wherever he goes trouble seems to follow.

The series features guest appearances by Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live, Bridesmaids), Oliver Platt (Frost/Nixon), Jim Jarmusch (filmmaker), Bebe Neuwirth (Cheers), Parker Posey (Superman Returns), Branka Katic (Big Love), Patton Oswalt (The King of Queens), John Hodgman (The Daily Show), Laila Robins (In Treatment), and Heather Burns (Two Weeks’ Notice).

The brainchild of Jonathan Ames, a New York author fascinated by noir writers, Bored to Death had its origins as a short story and was later adapted for television. Ames is a former columnist for New York Press and the winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship. His latest novel is The Double Life is Twice as Good.

9:30pm Monday 21st May.