Julian Assange embassy exile inspires BBC comedy

Julian Assange sought political asylum in the Ecuadors Lond embassy in June 2012. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Julian Assanges two-year stay in the Ecuadorian embassy has inspired a new BBC4 comedy called Asylum.

Created by Fonejacker star Kayvan Novak and producer Tom Thostrup, according to the BBC Asylum is a satirical comedy about a government whistleblower and a millionaire internet entrepreneur trapped together in a London embassy.

Assange sought political asylum in the embassy in June 2012 to avoid a perceived threat of extradition to the US for publishing military secrets. Swedish prosecutors want to question him about allegations of rape and sexual molestation, although he has not yet been charged.

Asylum will air early next year and is being made by 2LE, the independent production company behind prank E4 show The Work Experience.

Written by Thom Phipps and Peter Bowden, the comedy is part of a BBC season next year called Taking Liberties, celebrating 800 years of the Magna Carta and exploring democracy in the run-up to the general election.

The season will begin on 5 January with a four-part Radio 4 series on the Magna Carta, presented by Melvyn Bragg.

Other highlights include a day of live events under the title Democracy Day on 20 January the 750th anniversary of Englands first parliament plus a four-part BBC2 series by acclaimed political documentary-maker Michael Cockerell called Inside the Commons, in which he gets unique access to the inner workings of the institution, from clerks to MPs.

BBC3s contributions include Magna Carta 2.0, a documentary packed full of stunts, fun and comedy from The Revolution Will Be Televised comedian Jolyon Rubenstein.

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Julian Assange embassy exile inspires BBC comedy