Chris O’Dowd is breaking into the US television market with his new HBO comedy ‘Family Tree.’ The new show has been picked up by HBO for eight episodes.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that O’Dowd will play the lead in the Christopher Guest-produced comedy. Playing Tom Chadwick, O’Dowd explores his family history and roots after inheriting a mysterious box from a great-aunt he never met in what is being called a documentary-style family comedy.

The show reportedly has the feel of other Guest productions ‘Best in Show,’ ‘A Mighty Wind’ and ‘Waiting for Guffman.’

This won’t be Roscommon native O’Dowd’s first time appearing on the HBO screen. This summer he had a small guest spot on the critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated debut series ‘Girls.’

‘Family Tree’ will be airing on HBO and BBC2 in the UK concurrently.

O’Dowd first skyrocketed to American fame after portraying an Irish cop in the 2011 comedic hit film ‘Bridesmaids.’ Previously, he starred in the UK and Irish television comedy ‘The IT Crowd.’

He’s since been busy with several other projects, including the upcoming ‘3,2,1,...Frankie Go Boom’ independent film, as well as an Australian remake of ‘The Sapphires.’