Seven to screen Citizen Khan

Move over Kumars….

Seven has licensed the UK comedy series Citizen Khan, which will premiere in 2013.

The series follows the trials and tribulations of self-appointed Muslim community leader Mr Khan and his long-suffering family. It stars its creator BBC radio and TV presenter Adil Ray.

A Press Release says, “Things would be so much easier if everyone listened to him and followed his lead, but his obsessively house-proud wife and two feisty daughters have other ideas. He finds a refuge of sorts in the local mosque run by new mosque manager Dave – who to Mr Khan’s chagrin is not only white, but ginger. This is where Mr Khan has his ‘office’ – which he shares with many other eccentrics from the community who happen to drop in, which they do – a lot.”

It premiered in the UK on BBC One to 3.7 million viewers and ranked as the sixth highest rated sitcom across all channels in the UK for 2012. The programme has been commissioned for a second series of 7 x 30 minutes.

But it has also attracted complaints in the UK, accused of being disrespectful against the Quran.

Irene Read, BBC Worldwide Australasia’s Head of Sales said, “The Seven Network is the perfect platform to showcase this fresh and vibrant family comedy and we are thrilled that Australian audiences will be given the opportunity to share in the hilarious antics of Mr Khan.”

Angus Ross, Seven’s Director of Network Programming added, “The BBC has an established history of producing quality comedies and Citizen Khan is no exception. We are delighted to bring our viewers this outrageous new sitcom.”