ABC Orders ‘Rabbit’ Pilot, a U.S. Remake of BBC’s ‘Ludwig’

A freshly‑steamed cup of tea sat untouched in the BBC’s corridors when word arrived that a rabbit had been spotted hopping across the Atlantic. The creature, christened ‘Rabbit’, is not a new species but the working title of ABC’s latest drama pilot, a direct transplant of the UK’s beloved ‘Ludwig’.

ABC has commissioned the pilot, the network’s first of the year, and its most ambitious attempt to translate British humour for an American palate. The original series, which earned a modest cult following under David Mitchell’s deadpan stare, will now be re‑imagined in the United States.

Megan Ganz and Humphrey Ker, the original co‑writers of ‘Ludwig’, will reprise their creative duties on the other side of the pond, ensuring that the rabbit’s ears remain attuned to the original’s subtlety. They also serve as executive producers. Jon Steinberg and Dan Shotz join the executive team, bringing a mix of streaming savviness and traditional network polish.

The studio behind the scenes, 20th Television, will shepherd the project through production. The choice of the title ‘Rabbit’ is a calculated gamble that retains a playful nod to the original’s musicality while signalling a fresh, kinetic hop for the new version.

The pilot order marks ABC’s first project of the year and signals the network’s willingness to bet on authenticity rather than a wholesale rewrite.