The autobiographical show explores his experiences of studying abroad in Australia
BBC Three will air Ronny Chieng’s new Australian comedy series International Student.
The first episode starring the Daily Show correspondent aired on ABC in June. Co-created and co-written by the comedian, International Student explores Chieng’s experience of studying abroad in Australia.
BBC Three has secured the rights to air the seven-episode show later this year.
“Ronny Chieng is a welcome new addition to BBC Three,” controller of BBC Three, Damian Kavanagh, said.
“He’s a comedy genius and, in Ronny Chieng: International Student, he has the perfect vehicle for his talents. I couldn’t be more excited to bring this series to the UK.”
Chieng said Ronny Chieng: International Student was inspired by his own experiences studying law at the University of Melbourne.
“Something unique and original, and going through my experiences and memories, I just felt like being an international student in Australia — as specific as that is — was kind of a story that hasn’t really been spoken about but is one that has been experienced by a lot of people,” he said.
“I would talk to my friends about it, and people would study in a foreign country for three years or so and then go home. And they would say those years were like a dream, it was so ethereal. I wanted to capture that a bit.”
Last year, Chieng was praised for slamming Fox News reporter Jesse Watters for his racist Chinatown segment. Watters had caused serious offense to the Asian American community after producing a video that mocked Asian stereotypes in Chinatown, resulting in the community demanding an apology from the network.