CBC and ABC have come together to make 18 to Life, a sitcom pilot from Montreal’s Galafilm Productions. The networks announced late Monday plans to produce a single-camera pilot under the watch of Ceeb comedy boss Anton Leo.

The deal, brokered by distributor Alchemy Television, is said to mark the first time U.S. and Canadian broadcasters have worked together on a primetime sitcom, and continues the recent trend of cross-border buying and co-operation that has also sent CTV’s Flashpoint and The Listener to CBS and NBC, respectively, and the CBC’s Sophie to ABC Family. A former Ceeb show, MVP, has also been playing to some acclaim on ABC’s sudsy cable sister Soapnet.

‘For the CBC to have ABC invest and collaborate in the pilot for an all-Canadian half-hour comedy series is truly remarkable,’ said CBC programming boss Kirstine Layfield in a statement.

The would-be series is about a pair of teen sweethearts who get married at 18, over the objections of friends and family. It stars Stacey Farber of Degrassi: The Next Generation with Michael Seater of Life with Derek, joined by Al Goulem (The Tournament), Ellen David (Mambo Italiano) and Peter Keleghan.

‘What really jumped out at us was the concept,’ says Alchemy exec Burrad Marsh. ‘Because the kids are 18, their marriage becomes public property — everyone has an opinion — and it gives the show a multi-generational appeal.’

It comes from creators and exec producers Derek Schreyer and Karen Troubetzkoy, both of whom worked on Galafilm’s teen tennis series 15/Love. Ian Whitehead produces, while Peter Wellington (Slings & Arrows) will direct.

The cast also includes Angela Asher (D:TNG), Jesse Rath (Prom Wars), Tiio Horn (Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis) and newcomers Tommie-Amber Pirie and Ariel Shiri.