Chris Sussman has been named as the BBC‘s Director of Comedy.

The former BBC Studios comedy chief will replace Jon Petrie in the biggest job in British comedy. He was previously Director of Scripted Series at Netflix UK, exiting in 2022, and has an expansive track record in major UK comedy and drama.

His new role puts him in charge of a significant budget and a slate comprising the likes of Here We Go, Amandaland, Small Prophet and recent breakout series Ann Droid, which was renewed for a second season this week.

His predecessor, Petrie, announced he was exiting to join Derry Girls and Have I Got News For You producer Hat Trick Productions earlier this year.

Sussman starts his new role next month, with Emma Lawson continuing as acting Director of Comedy in the interim.

At Netflix, where his role also emcompassed drama, Sussman worked on Man Versus Bee, Baby Reindeer, Stay Close, Bodies and Black Mirror. During his time as Head of Comedy at BBC Studios, he oversaw both the TV and radio comedy slates, including series such as This Country, Inside No 9, W1A, Famalam, Upstart Crow, Two Doors Down and Mrs Brown’s Boys. He was also responsible for winning BBC Studios’ first commissions with Apple TV, for Trying, and Prime Video, for Good Omens. 

He has also had a previous spell at the BBC Comedy commissioning team, where he looked after shows such as Fleabag, Mum, Bad Education, Cuckoo, Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe, Rev and Him & Her.

Since leaving Netflix, Sussman has worked as an executive producer on International Emmy award-winning BBC comedy Ludwig. 

Sussman will report directly to BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips and lead the BBC comedy commissioning team. Upcoming shows include Bill’s Included, Reluctant Vampire, Better Later, Hopley Hall, Push and Opening Up.

“After a highly competitive interview process I’m delighted that Chris will be taking up the role of the BBC’s Director of Comedy,” said Phillips. “With a wealth of experience across multiple indies and broadcasters he has the smarts and skills needed to lead us into a very funny future.

“I’ve loved BBC comedy since I was a young boy listening to tapes of Hancock and The Goons, and the thought of trying to make more classics for a new generation to fall in love with is a daunting but irresistible one,” added Sussman. “I’ll be joining a brilliant team who are already producing some fantastic series, so I’m looking forward to carrying on where Jon left off and defining British comedy in the coming years.”