Jon Petrie appointed Commissioning Editor for comedy at Channel 4

14 November 2018

Channel 4’s Head of Comedy, Fiona McDermott, today announced the appointment of Jon Petrie as Commissioning Editor. He will join the channel early in 2019.

Fiona McDermott, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to the team. He’s rightly earned a reputation as a real craftsman of original British comedy, from People Just Do Nothing to Stath Lets Flats. He has a proven eye for distinct young comedy talent and we can’t wait to see what he brings at a time when comedy has never been stronger for Channel 4.”

Jon Petrie said: “I can't wait to get started at Channel 4. Offers like this don't come up very often. It's a very exciting time for comedy at the channel and I'm looking forward to working with Fiona and the comedy team very much.”

Petrie joins Channel 4 having most recently produced Channel 4’s new comedy Stath Lets Flats. He began his career working on comedy entertainment shows such as Never Mind The Buzzcocks, QI and Comic Relief. In 2008 Petrie moved to Ash Atalla's company Roughcut Television to develop online comedy content (in his spare time he ran sketch and stand up nights, including a nationwide video comedy night Popcorn Comedy). He produced the hugely successful Misery Bear shorts, which amassed over 10 million views. Since 2009 Petrie has produced the sketch show Anna and Katy, five series of the BAFTA Award-winning People Just Do Nothing (after he discovered the show on YouTube), Hospital People and most recently Channel 4’s Stath Lets Flats. Petrie also ran his own production label, Little A, in partnership with Roughcut Television.

Following a strong 2018 for comedy on Channel 4, which saw the successful launches of Lee & Dean, Stath Lets Flats, Hang Ups and the record-breaking Derry Girls, 2019 will see a host of exciting brand new series alongside a slew of favourite returners, including Happy AF, Year of the Rabbit, MAXXX, Dead Pixels and Home. Championing and developing some of the most talented names in British comedy, the comedy slate at Channel 4 is home to both established and acclaimed talent and the most exciting fresh new voices too.

Petrie joins Fiona McDermott alongside Commissioning Editor Jack Bayles and Laura Riseam, who has recently been promoted to Commissioning Executive in the team.