BBC buys rights to hit US sitcom

The series has been well received by US critics

US sitcom Arrested Development is to be shown in the UK after the BBC bought the rights from the Fox network.

The comedy, which has been nominated for a Golden Globe award, will air on BBC Two and BBC Four in the autumn.

It chronicles the ups and downs of the dysfunctional Bluth family after its father figure George is arrested for dodgy accounting practices.

The series, co-starring Jason Bateman and Jeffrey Tambor, is narrated by Oscar-winning director Ron Howard.

The BBC has bought exclusive UK TV rights to the critically acclaimed series, which was first aired on Fox in November.

Cameo role

It centres on widower Michael Bluth, played by Bateman, who reluctantly finds himself teaching his family how to live without a company expense account after George's arrest.

It co-stars Tambor as George, with Jessica Walter as his wife Lucille, and features Liza Minnelli in a cameo role as family friend Lucille Austero.

The series is nominated in the category for best TV musical or comedy in the 2004 Golden Globes, against competition including Ricky Gervais' UK sitcom The Office.

It was also named by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the top eight shows currently on TV in the US.

The announcement follows the BBC's failure to sign the third series of drama 24 from Fox.