Emily Mortimer to write, star in new series for Sky Living

With the massive influx of new programming from the major US broadcast networks announced yesterday, it was only a matter of time before a UK broadcaster got in on the game.

BSkyB, which owns and operates UK satellite channels Sky Living, Sky Atlantic and Sky Sports, has given the greenlight to a new comedy series from actress Emily Mortimer ("Shutter Island," "Our Idiot Brother") and real-life best friend Dolly Wells ("Spy," "Some Girls").

The series, "Doll & Em," is billed as an "intimate, funny portrait of female friendship," though it is unclear whether the actresses will play fictional versions of themselves in a mockumentary style or will delve into the usual sitcom tropes. Given Mortimer's profile in Hollywood, expect a number of high-profile celebrity cameos during the series' run.

Additionally, the UK satellite giant has commissioned a new series from the team behind the political-satire comedies "The Thick of It" and its film spin-off "In The Loop." The Emmy and Oscar-nominated writing team of Simon Blackwell and Chris Addison will reunite for "Trying Again," a sitcom about the aftermath of a marital affair. If you haven't seen "In The Loop," do yourself a favor and check it out on Netflix Instant so you can better understand why this new series pick-up is excellent news indeed.

The two new series are part of BSkyB's push toward more original programming to be partnered with US pick-ups including "Chicago Fire," "Love Machine," and the upcoming NBC co-commission "Dracula."

What do you think about these new series?