BBC CANADA presents the Canadian television premiere of Little Britain, an eight-part character-based sketch comedy show hailed as the most innovative comedy series from the UK since The Office. Written and performed by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, Little Britain explores a small and surreal parallel universe, peopled by gloriously over-the-top eccentrics, lunatics and social misfits. Little Britain premieres on Thurs., March 3 at 10:20 p.m. ET/PT.

“BBC CANADA is thrilled to bring the hysterical culture phenomena Little Britain to a Canadian audience,” says Jody Read, Vice President of Programming, BBC CANADA. “This cutting-edge series exemplifies the best and boldest programming on British television today.”

Series one of Little Britain looks at the debris of modern life in Britain with a host of wonderful characters that reappear throughout the series, including Vicky Pollard, the gloriously incoherent trailer-trash teenager; Marjorie Dawes, the tubby, tyrannical leader of her Fat Fighters class; Emily Howard, the world’s least convincing transvestite; Dafydd Thomas, the only homosexual man in his village – he insists; and Dame Sally Markham, aristo novelist who churns out romances by the cartload.

Winner of several prestigious comedy awards including three 2004 BAFTA Performance Awards, two best comedy performance awards for Matt Lucas and David Walliams and the best comedy award, the series has already spawned a number of catchphrases including the line “I’m the only gay in the village,” recently voted the best comedy catchphrase of all time in a poll of UK TV viewers.

Shot both on location and in front of a studio audience, Tom Baker (Doctor Who) narrates the series with delightfully batty commentary. Special guest stars include Anthony Head, Nigel Havers and Geraldine James. Little Britain originally began as an award-winning BBC Radio 4 comedy programme.

BBC CANADA is the home of the best and the boldest British television from the world-renowned BBC. For more information visit www.bbccanada.com.