ABC Studios adapting U.K laffer

ITV Studios America is developing an adaptation of BBC Three series "White Man Van" as a project for ABC Studios. Series, which premiered in the U.K. in the spring, focuses on a man who has to put his own professional dreams aside to run his family's blue-collar business. Former "My Name Is Earl" exec producer Bobby Bowman is penning the script for ABC Studios via the Mark Gordon Co. " 'White Man Van' has a great following in the U.K. and is a universal story, one that translates very well across countries and cultures," ITV Studios America CEO and ITV Studios International managing director Paul Buccieri said. "There is humor and drama and tremendous potential for this series in the U.S., and we are thrilled that we have Bobby's brilliance and the pedigree of the Mark Gordon Co. behind the project." Written by Adrian Poynton, "White Man Van" scored BBC Three's best ratings ever for a new sitcom and is in production for a second season across the pond. "We have very funny and poignant stories from the BBC Three series that can translate brilliantly to the U.S. market," ITV Studios U.K. creative director of comedy Saurabh Kakkar said. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com