Charlie Sheen sitcom finds home on FX network

Troubled actor Charlie Sheen has a new shot at TV glory.

American cable channel FX has confirmed it will buy his new series Anger Management, a sitcom loosely based on the 2003 Adam Sandler-Jack Nicholson movie of the same name.

Sheen is to play "a mild-mannered, non-confrontational man who is ordered to attend group anger management sessions led by a therapist who could probably use some anger management himself," according to producers.

The star was fired from successful CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men because of his erratic behaviour and tirades against series creators. Two and a Half Men has been in reruns on FX for more than a year.

FX has ordered an initial 10 episodes of Anger Management and has rights to an additional 90 episodes if the series draws an audience. It also will have syndication rights after 2014.

Lionsgate subsidiary Debmar-Mercury announced Sheen’s connection to the sitcom in July, and has been trying to sell it ever since.

After using his comedy tour and online presence as a platform to insult TV executives, Sheen changed his tune in September. He offered an appeasement speech at the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony and then worked at improving his prospects with appearances on the chat show circuit.

Revolution Studios founder Joe Roth, believed to have a cordial relationship with Sheen after having worked with the star on films such as Major League and Young Guns, is producing the new show. Sheen also has a significant ownership stake and said in July that he will retain some creative control.