Hamish Linklater to Star in TV Land Pilot I SHUDDER

TV Land has greenlit "I Shudder," a dark comedy pilot starring Hamish Linklater ("The New Adventures of Old Christine," "The Newsroom") and written by Paul Rudnick ("In & Out," "Addams Family Values"), about a meticulous but generous man who sees the world in very black and white terms: what is acceptable, and what is unacceptable. Dan Jinks ("American Beauty," "Pushing Daisies") and Rudnick will executive produce.

Linklater stars as the eccentric Elyot Vionnet, an advocate of manners, style and most importantly, common decency. Observing people committing heinous crimes of etiquette, he tries to counsel them from afar, inserting himself into their lives most unwelcomely. When the individuals he deems classless choose not to take his advice, they are met with terrible consequences. In the midst of his mission, Elyot allies himself with his neighbor, an 11-year-old girl named Stella, to try to make the world better, one tactless person at a time.

"This pilot is a unique dark dramedy, and is truly outside the box for TV Land," said Keith Cox, Executive Vice President of Development and Original Programming for TV Land. "We're excited to explore new paths of genres for the network as we continue to evolve."

About the series, Dan Jinks added, "Paul Rudnick is one of the funniest writers on the planet Earth, and Hamish Linklater is one of the funniest actors. I couldn't be more thrilled to be working with both of them. I've wanted to work with Paul for many years. I'm so pleased that he's making his TV debut with this hilarious series."

"I Shudder" is the latest in a line of bold new programs that TV Land has on its slate or in development, including the critically-acclaimed and recently renewed Darren Star comedy "Younger," "The Jim Gaffigan Show," "Impastor," "Teachers," and the untitled John Wells/John Riggi/Warner HORIZON Television project inspired by the life of Kyle Richards ("The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills").

Photo by Jennifer Broski