Ballot Monkeys is described as “a darkly satirical look at the general election” which will cut between the campaign battle buses of Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP.
Viewers will follow the fortunes of various press officers, empathy consultants, SPADs, IT wizards, social media monitors and political analysts as they crisis manage the latest dramas and developments.
The five-part series stars Ben Miller, Hugh Dennis, Sarah Hadland and Kathleen Rose Perkins and will be screened during the climax of the May election.
Channel 4 says filming will begin one week before transmission and promises the series will draw on major themes and incidents of the campaign.
As with Drop The Dead Donkey, Hamilton and Jenkin will leave gaps in which to insert “highly topical” gags at the very last minute.
The pair said: “We’re very excited about this. We don’t think anyone’s done anything like this before, although we may find out why.”
Fiona McDermott, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Comedy said: “We haven’t yet decided whether we’re brave or bonkers but a real time satirical sitcom like Ballot Monkeys could only be handled by the remarkable Andy Hamilton & Guy Jenkin.
“We are thrilled to have them and such an amazing cast on board our buses.”
