Entertainment

British version of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ in the works

Long Island sportswriter Ray Barone with a British accent?

Yeah — it’s about to happen.

The BBC is adapting “Everybody Loves Raymond” for an upcoming show called “The Smiths,” which will star Lee Mack in the Ray Barone role made famous by Ray Romano.

Like “Raymond,” Mack’s character, a sportswriter, will live across the street from his prying parents and his overbearing older brother.

Catherine Tate, who appeared on NBC’s “The Office” — and on the BBC’s “Dr. Who” — will play Mack’s wife.

Mack wrote the pilot episode for the new series.

The show is set to begin filming later this month in front of a studio audience.

“Raymond,” which ran for nine seasons on CBS, was one of the most popular sitcoms of its era.

In addition to Romano, the series starred Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts. The last episode of the show aired in 2005.

“Raymond” has also been adapted for Russia and Poland.