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An iconic mockumentary from the early 2000s has been resurrected on the streaming charts thanks to a temporary new HBO Max distribution deal. Mockumentaries have been a staple of sitcom television for years now, with critically acclaimed hits like Parks & Recreation, Modern Family, Abbot Elementary, and more redefining the genre.

Now, however, one of the earliest and most influential mockumentary shows of all time is enjoying a resurgence in popularity on HBO Max, due to an innovative platforming deal with British TV streamer BritBox.

From August 1 to September 29, subscribers will be able to enjoy a carefully curated selection of 15 BritBox titles on HBO Max for free, including crime dramas like Blue Lights and period dramas like Three Little Birds.One of BritBox's temporary Max offerings is proving to be more popular than the others, though, and it's the only sitcom available in the deal.

The Office UK Finds Renewed...

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Chief of War is a historical drama series co-created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Jason Momoa. Based on true events, the Apple TV+ series is set in the 18th century, and it follows a Hawaiian warrior chief as he unites the warring Hawaiian islands to fight against the colonialists. Chief of War stars Jason Momoa, Luciane Buchanan, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Brandon Finn, Siua Ikaleʻo, Mainei Kinimaka, and Roimata Fox. So, if you loved the historical setting, intense story, and compelling characters in Apple TV+’s Chief of War, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Barkskins (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Nat Geo

Barkskins is a historical drama series created by Elwood Reid. Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Annie Proulx, the National Geographic series is set in the 1600s,...

The Officeis one of the most enduringly popular series of the 21st century, as well as one of the few mockumentaries to leverage the format for consistent laughs throughout its run. Starring Steve Carell as Michael Scott, regional manager for the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, the nine-season series won numerous awards, but let's not forget the U.K. version that started it all. The original The Office, which starred Ricky Gervais, will be available to stream for two months on HBO Max as part of a deal with BritBox. It isn't alone; several other British shows will also join the streamer temporarily.

BritBox specializes in U.K. television dramas, comedies, and murder mysteries, and the new deal will offer U.S. viewers a peek at select titles from its library from August 1 through September 29, 2025, with the shows grouped into an in-app rail titled "The Best of British TV by BritBox.

Many people view the American version of The Office as being one of the best comedy series of its time, but the original UK version remains a beloved classic that started it all. If you're a huge fan of the original series, you'll be glad to know that it has found a new streaming home. The workplace comedy is set to be released on HBO Max very soon!

According to Deadline, HBO Max will soon offer U.S. subscribers access to a selection of British TV shows. This is happening because HBO Max made a short-term deal with BritBox, which is a streaming service that specializes in British TV content.

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 29, the streaming giant will have a special "programming pop-up" featuring a curated selection of British TV series, including The Office. This limited-time event allows U.S. viewers to enjoy not only the workplace comedy but also...

One of Heath Ledger and Matt Damon's most underrated action movies is heading to a new streaming home.

2005's The Brothers Grimmstarring Heath Ledger and Matt Damon is officially making its way to Paramount+ as its new streaming home. The fan-favorite fantasy action film will be available for streaming on Paramount+ beginning Aug. 1.

Directed by Terry Gilliam from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger, The Brothers Grimm starred Damon and Ledger as fictionalized versions of Will and Jake Grimm. Rather than being the acclaimed authors that fans know and love, these Brothers Grimm are traveling con artists who prey upon unsuspecting villagers who are plagued by all manner of imagined monstrosities. After being forced to investigate the goings-on of a small German village, the Brothers Grimm find themselves staring down a very real ancient evil before taking it upon themselves to strike it down once and for all.

Alongside its leading duo,...

Zachary Wigon’sVictorian Psychoand two projects from faith-based US distributor Angel Studios, thefeatureYoung WashingtonandseriesThe Wayfinders, are among aslew of international and local projects shooting in Ireland this summer.

Many productions will be hoping to wrap ahead of series three of Netflix’s Wednesday, which is expected to return to shoot in Ireland in the autumn, employing many Irish crew. The second series was, according to Screen Ireland, the largest production to ever shoot in the country.

US filmmaker Wigon’sVictorian Psychostars Longlegs actor Maika Monroe alongside Jason Isaacs and Thomasin McKenzie, and will film across Ireland and the UK from...

Acting star Toby Jones has suggested the UK drama sector is going through an existential crisis as its grapples with developments such as the rise of AI and competition from globals streamers as well as growing income barriers for entry into the creative industries.

“There are various existential things affecting the industry at the moment, not least, how actors are going to be able to copyright their work in some way. There seem to be many seismic problems that digital culture is presenting to drama, not theater necessarily, but certainly filmed drama,” said Jones.

The Mr Burton, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny actor was speaking to Deadline at the Scad Lacoste Film Festival in France where he received its Virtuoso Award.

Jones, who famously took a pay-cut for his performance in ITV breakout hit Mr Bates vs The Post Office, addressed...

Pirates of the Caribbean franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer teases returning cast members in the upcoming sixth installment. The project has been in development since Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales was in the works, but in light of Amber Heard's abuse allegations, Disney dropped the lead star, Johnny Depp, from the franchise. During Depp's defamation trial against Heard, the Jack Sparrow star expressed that he had no interest in returning.

In an interview with ScreenRant's Ash Crossan for F1, which will be released on June 27, Bruckheimer offers an update on Pirates of the Caribbean 6's cast and the sequel's current status. The franchise producer revealed that they are still working on the script, which will be "a new take," but it won't be a brand-new cast. Bruckheimer confirmed that some members would return. Check out his comments below:

Jerry Bruckheimer:We’re working on a screenplay.

Jeffrey Harmon, Chief Content Officer of faith-skewed upstart development, film finance and distribution company Angel Studios, swapped home city Provo in Utah for London this week.

The exec touched down in the UK capital for a gala screening on Sunday of episodes one and two of Paul Syrstad’s series Testament. The contemporary adaptation of the biblical New Testament tome, the Acts of the Apostles is shot against the backdrop of London.

“The entire team behind Testament is London-based. They filmed it here in London, they’re all from the UK. We came here to celebrate the launch with the team,” says Harmon, co-founder of Angel Studios with brothers Neal, Daniel and Jordan Harmon, as well as cousin, Benton Crane.

Angel Studios also has a growing distribution footprint in the UK, thanks to its recently formed partnership with faith-based distributor Kova Releasing, which kicked off this spring with biopic Bonhoeffer,...

Mackenzie Crook is back in the director’s chair for the BBC, this time blending the mystical with the mundane in Small Prophets (working title), a six-part comedy series just commissioned by the UK pubcaster. Crook—best known for Detectorists and Worzel Gummidge—created, wrote, and will direct the series, which centers on Michael Sleep, an unassuming man […]

BBC Greenlights Mackenzie Crook’s ‘Small Prophets’ With Sir Michael Palin, Pearce Quigley Set to Star...

Cunk star Diane Morgan, Monty Python‘s Michael Palin and Pirates of the Caribbean actor Mackenzie Crook all feature in a 10-strong comedy slate at the UK’s BBC.

BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie unveiled the shows today the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where is also revealed more than £500,000 in additional funding for new comedy.

The slate includes Ann Droid (working title), a sitcom vehicle for Morgan; Small Prophets, which is from BAFTA winner and Detectorists star Crook, and stars the likes of Palin and recent BAFTA winner Sophie Willan among others.

Also on the slate is supernatural family sitcom Reluctant Vampire, starring Am I Being Unreasonable?‘s Lenny Rush and from the writers of Alan Partridge; Bill’s Included, a comedy starring Gavin and Stacey‘s Rob Brydon about a middle-aged divorcee renting rooms to students; Christmas special Stuffed, starring Man Like Mobeen star and creator Guz Khan.

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Domina is a British-Italian historical drama series created by Simon Burke. The Sky Atlantic series chronicles the life of Livia Drusilla, from her early years when Julius Caesar was assassinated to her marriage to the Roman emperor Augustus, which makes way for her to become the most powerful and influential empress in the Roman Empire. Domina stars Nadia Parkes, Tom Glynn-Carney, Enzo Cilenti, Peter Campion, Darrel D’Silva, Tom Forbes, Liam Garrigan, Oliver Huntington, and Alexandra Moloney. So, if you loved the historical drama, a captivating story, and compelling characters in Domina, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Troy: Fall of a City (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Netflix

Troy: Fall of a City is a historical drama miniseries created by David Farr. Based on the Trojan War, the Netflix series revolves around...

The British mockumentary sitcom The Office remains one of the most influential comedies ever produced. Not only did the series enjoy a stellar three-season run which culminated in an 8.5 IMDb rating, it also inspired a range of spinoffs, including the Steve Carrell version.

Though it only lasted for two seasons (2001–2003), the show catapulted its cast to stardom, and produced a range of superstars. Over two decades later, let’s take a look at where the actors are in 2025.

Ewen MacIntosh (Keith Bishop) Ewen MacIntosh in The Office. | BBC

Ewen MacIntosh, who played the deadpan and beloved accountant Keith Bishop, sadly passed away at the age of 50. His death was confirmed on February 21, 2024, leading to an outpouring of tributes from fans and co-stars. Ricky Gervais described him as an “absolute original.” (via Standard)

Related “He had all the makings of a Dunder Mifflin manager”: Steve Carell’s Exit Killed ‘The Office...

How can any of us define what the best of all time is? For some people, thinking about the best TV show or film of all time is akin to asking them what their favorite within the respective medium is. But to say that something is your favorite film or TV show is not automatically the same as deeming it the best. For some, to be the best means that you have to be influential or that the end result has to have some grand statement attached. And more importantly, if the question "What is the best of all time?" is being asked, do we ask ourselves or do we rely on outside sources? 

The voice of the critic is important, but it can also be ignored if a critic doesn't like a show or film the way that we do, or if they just flat-out hate something we adore.

The Pirates of the Caribbean series is truly a cinematic anomaly. What started out as a movie based on a Disney theme park attraction that few believed in would turn into a mega-franchise—one that exists largely thanks to its iconic characters. And that success isn’t reserved solely for Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Captain Barbosa (Geoffrey Rush). While they have served as unforgettable leads, supporting members of the cast are just as much a part of the zeitgeist, no more so than Pintel and Ragetti. Though they started out as villainous sidekicks, they quickly became favorites whom audiences looked forward to seeing as much as the main characters. However, after the original trilogy of films came to an end, the characters were never seen again. So what happened?...

Pintel and Ragetti were much-loved characters in Pirates of the Caribbean but dropped out of the story. The Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise launched in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and rapidly gained a loyal fan base. Pintel and Ragetti, played by Lee Arenberg and Mackenzie Crook respectively, appeared in the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies to excellent effect. The comedic duo was widely loved and respected as a highlight of the series. Unfortunately, they did not return for the fourth and fifth outings.

After The Curse of the Black Pearl, Arenberg and Crook starred as Pintel and Ragetti in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Some of Pirates of the Caribbean's best sword fights, banter, and character development occurred in these movies, giving Pintel and Ragetti many opportunities to shine.

On Monday 23 December 2024, BBC Two broadcasts Mackenzie Crook Remembers… Detectorists!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Mackenzie Crook Remembers… Detectorists” promises to be a heartfelt journey into the inspiration behind the beloved series. Airing on BBC Two, this episode will delve into the creative mind of Mackenzie Crook, the show’s writer and star. Fans of the series can look forward to discovering what sparked the idea for “Detectorists,” a show that has captured the hearts of many.

In this episode, Crook will reflect on the funny and touching moments that make “Detectorists” special. The series follows a group of metal detectorists in the fictional town of Danebury, highlighting their friendships and adventures as they search for hidden treasures. Crook’s insight into the characters and stories will give viewers a deeper appreciation for the show’s charm and wit.

As Crook shares his memories and thoughts, audiences can expect...

For those who mourn the quiet brilliance of Detectorists, this one’s for you. Mackenzie Crook, the show’s creator and star, takes a look back at the series in a special retrospective airing on BBC Two. This isn’t a new episode, mind you. The series concluded in 2022. Instead, it’s a chance for Crook to reminisce […]

Mackenzie Crook Remembers – Detectorists...

On Monday, December 23, 2024, at 11:00 Pm, BBC Two will air a special titled “Mackenzie Crook Remembers… Detectorists.” In this heartfelt and insightful program, Mackenzie Crook takes viewers behind the scenes of his beloved series “Detectorists,” sharing the inspiration that led to its creation. The series, known for its unique mix of humor and warmth, follows a group of metal detector enthusiasts in the fictional town of Danebury.

Crook reflects on what drew him to the world of metal detecting, exploring the personalities of his quirky characters and the charm of their everyday lives. As he reminisces about the process of writing and creating the show, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the show’s blend of comedy and emotion. Fans of “Detectorists” will find this special an enlightening and nostalgic look at the series that captured the hearts of so many, offering a glimpse into the mind of the creator behind this unforgettable show.

The fan base may have preemptively turned against the female-led, Australian reboot of The Office, but the new series has the approval of the World's Best Boss himself... Ricky Gervais. The Office Au (it should have been called The Office Down Under) stars Felicity Ward as Hannah Howard, the branch manager of Flinley Craddick, a box company based in Sydney. The new series features Aussie versions of fan-favorite characters, both from the U.K. and the U.S. versions of the show. Despite being the 11th international remake of The Office, the Australian version has garnered particular hatred from fans, partly due to its female lead.

Speaking at the Prime Video Presents: Trailblazers event (via Variety), Felicity Ward discussed her leading role in the series, and the backlash towards the new reboot. The comedian and actress didn't seem phased by the negative backlash from bigoted fans, because she has approval...

With another The Office remake on the way, the release of the first trailer has revealed the new version's decision to copy a choice also made by the US adaptation - but there's no guarantee it'll pay off this time around. The Office's US cast will go down in history as one of the greatest ensembles in TV history. The workplace comedy was incredibly character-led, and the quality of the acting and comedic timing were huge factors in the show's success.

The remake in question shouldn't be confused with the upcoming reboot of The Office - which will be a continuation set in the same world as the US version, but with a new set of characters. The trailer that's been released is more of a traditional remake, and this much is clear from the teaser footage shown. So, there could conceivably be a time when there are two...

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s The Office has been remade once again, this time in Australia. Here’s the trailer.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s original version of The Office launched on the BBC in 2001. It introduced the world to boss from hell David Brent (Gervais) as he attempted to look good in front of the cameras documenting his workplace, paper merchants Wernham Hogg, alongside staff including Tim (Martin Freeman) Gareth (Mackenzie Crook) and Dawn (Lucy Davis).

All while trying to stay onside with bullying best mate Chris Finch (Ralph Ineson) and, in the second series, his new boss from the Swindon branch, Neil (Patrick Baladi).

Gervais and Merchant took cringe comedy to the extreme, with Brent becoming a byword for social awkwardness and inappropriate behaviour.

Since then, there have been 13 international versions, with Greg Daniels’ American version starring Steve Carrell being far and away the most successful,...

Comedian Robin Ince was the opener for Ricky Gervais comedy tours in the 2000s, a time when Gervais was at the height of his Office fame. Ince, who left comedy in 2015, says his time on stage with Gervais took a physical toll.

“I am not saying it is a traumatic experience, but after two weeks I came out in red lumps that my doctor said were a stress rash,” Ince recalled on the Starting Line podcast. “I think my hair was coming out in clumps.”

“I look back now, and I think it is bullying — really it is,” Ince says of his time working with Gervais. One example? Gervais used to make up a diary supposedly written by Ince. At a Christmas party, he read the fake musings aloud to the partygoers. “I forget how weird it is. I’m very good at sometimes just acclimatizing to things, in which you go,...

Quick Links What Was Almost Human About? What Makes Almost Human a Classic Sci-Fi Series Why Was Almost Human Canceled Despite Its Popularity?

When it comes to the subject of short-lived and canceled television shows, the length of their initial on-air runs doesn't always reflect the quality of the shows themselves. From Freaks and Geeks to the original run of Twin Peaks, some of the most beloved and well-regarded shows of the time were tragically cut short due to a progressive decline in their ratings. Of course, there have also been several other shows that, while well-received and relatively popular, still end up facing the chopping block due to other unforeseen circumstances. When Almost Human first premiered in 2011, it was hailed as one of the best and most original new series in the medium. It was considered a must-see for sci-fi fans, with a unique premise and interesting characters, and...

The BAFTA and Rts-nominated British comedy series ‘The Change’ returns for its second season with a new director, Mackenzie Crook. Crook steps behind the camera to helm this critically acclaimed show, joining a stellar cast and production team. “The Change was my favourite TV show of 2023, and so to find myself directing Series 2 […]

Bridget Christie’s ‘The Change’ Returns with Mackenzie Crook Directing...

“Pirates of the Caribbean” star Mackenzie Crook is taking to the director’s chair for his next project.

Crook, who also appeared in and directed “Detectorists,” is set to direct the second season of Bridget Christie’s comedy “The Change.”

Among the cast returning for Season 2 are Susan Lynch as Eel Sister Agnes, Tanya Moodie as DJ Joy, Liza Tarbuck as Linda’s older sister Siobhain, Jim Howick as The Verderer, Jerome Flynn as Pig Man, Paul Whitehouse as Tony and Omid Djalili as Linda’s husband Steve.

Laura Checkley (“King Gary”) joins the cast as Eel Sister Theresa.

“Linda (Christie) has got some explaining to do,” reads the logline for Season 2. “Faced with the repercussions of the lies she’s told the forest community, along with losing the Mother Tree, and the arrival of husband Steve who has come to bring her home, Linda’s future in the forest looks uncertain.

Showrunner Greg Daniels’ sequel to hit sitcom The Office has been commissioned for a series at Peacock. Domhnall Gleeson will lead the ensemble cast.

There have been repeated talks of a revival of the American version of The Office revival in the years since it concluded. Given the success of the show, it seemed to be a question not of if, but when. We now have the answer.

Greg Daniels, who developed the American remake and served as showrunner for the majority of its nine seasons, has co-created a sequel series with Michael Konan.

Described as being “set in the same universe” as The Office, the description, via Deadline, reads as follows:

The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters.

Domhnall Gleeson and...

Johnny Depp said he felt “strangely, oddly, perversely lucky” to have been offered the role of French King Louis Xv at the U.K. premiere of his new film “Jeanne du Barry.”

Depp was accompanied by the film’s co-star and director Maïwenn on stage at the Curzon theater in Mayfair, where the duo briefly introduced the film.

“I feel very lucky to have been [offered the role] – strangely, oddly, perversely lucky,” he said on stage in London during a rare public appearance. “Because when Maïwenn and I first actually met and talked about the notion of me doing the film and playing Louis Xv, the King of France — see that’s when instantly what happens in your brain is you instantly go back to Kentucky, where, like, everything is fried. So you realise that you’ve come from the bellybutton of nowhere and suddenly you end up playing the King of France.

Fictional sentient species and supernatural abilities are a pillar of Game of Thrones lore. The Lannisters and other Houses can be powerful on their own, but they often don't rely solely on swords and politics. Non-magical characters in the show tend to fear magic while also constantly trying to use it to their advantage.

The magical characters in the HBO fantasy drama may win or lose battles depending on context. Still, it's possible to analyze how helpful or feared they are during the many disputes in Game of Thrones. While the Children of the Forest have their strengths, for example, they aren't as strong as the most lethal species and magic users.

Wun Wun Exemplifies The Power of Giants Close

From

Hardhome, Beyond the Wall

Power

Size

Affiliation

Free Folk, Jon Snow

Classification

Giants

Related 10 Best Game of Thrones Fighters There are many skilled fighters in Game of Thrones, from Jamie Lannister to The Mountain.

It’s nearly Christmas and to celebrate we have put together a Best of British boxset bundle from Acorn Media International for you to enjoy over the festive period including Detectorists Complete Collection and Doc Martin Series Complete Box Set both on DVD and available now.

Detectorists Complete Collection On DVD

The charming, much-loved This BAFTA award-winning comedy series, written by and starring Mackenzie Crook alongside Toby Jones, as two friends who share a devotion to metal detecting, will entertain the whole family. With their eyes on a particular plot of land, they both dream of the one big find which would bring history to life and change their lives in the process. Discover comedy gold with this hugely acclaimed series. This Complete Box set contains series one to three, along with the 2022 Christmas Movie Special.

Doc Martin Series Complete Box Set Inc. Finale On DVD

Martin Clunes stars as...

With the Writer's Guild strike seemingly nearing an end, many in the entertainment industry have been discussing what this might mean for projects in Hollywood. Most projects were put on hold and brought to a standstill due to the strikes. On September 24, 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) reported that it had come to a "tentative agreement" with studios and streaming companies. The strike will officially end when the deal is voted on by the Guild's board and members.

It is in the aftermath of the strike coming to an end that the beginning of something else has been announced. While speaking on Puck News about the future of projects in Hollywood, Matthew Belloni and Jonathan Handel mentioned in passing that the much-loved comedy sitcom The Office might return to screens. Amidst talking of other shows, Belloni and Handel said, "Greg Daniels is set to do a reboot of The Office,...

’Silent Roar’, ‘Shoshana’ and ’How To Have Sex’ will also play at the French seaside festival that spotlights UK and Irish cinema.

France’s Dinard Festival of British Film has unveiled the line-up of its 34th edition, which includes Cannes titles Ken Loach’s The Old Oak, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone Of Interest and Molly Manning Walker’s How To Have Sex.

Also on the line-up is Charlotte Regan’s Sundance title Scrapper. The comedy drama stars Harris Dickinson and follows a young girl forced to confront reality when her estranged father returns, and is currently on release in...

There are few bad days that can’t be remedied by watching an episode of Would I Lie To You?

This award-winning BBC panel show has been making us laugh for over 15 years thanks to hilarious repeat performances from the likes of Bob Mortimer and Rhod Gilbert, and the top-tier chemistry between team captains Lee Mack and David Mitchell and host Rob Brydon.

It’s created so many legendary funny moments that picking a favourite is almost impossible, but here are the Would I Lie To You? stories that have gone down in TV history:

16. Henning Wehn Goes Missing in Morocco

Henning Wehn appears to have gone to the Kevin Bridges School of Storytelling (more on that later) – his yarns have a similarly scatter-brained approach that are pleasingly impossible to predict. Here he claims Interpol listed him as a missing person when he went on a bike ride in Spain...

Britannia will not be returning for a fourth season. The historical fiction drama, which aired on Sky in the UK and Epix (now MGM+) in the United States, has been cancelled, leaving a significant cliffhanger unresolved, per Deadline.

Starring Kelly Reilly, David Morrissey, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Liana Cornell, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, Mackenzie Crook, Barry Ward, Stanley Weber, Joe Armstrong, Fortunato Cerlino, Callie Cooke, Aaron Pierre, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Zoë Wanamaker, Ian McDiarmid, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Hugo Speer, Daniel Caltagirone, Zaqi Ismail, and Annabel Schol, the Britannia series is set in the year 43 Ad as the Romans invade Britain.

Read More…...

Argonon CEO James Burstall was prompted to write his new crisis management book “The Flexible Method: Prepare to Prosper in the Next Global Crisis” by the Covid-19 pandemic, when the TV industry – like much of the world – came to a grinding halt almost exactly three years ago. Shows including “The Masked Singer U.K.,” which is produced by Argonon subsidiary Bandicoot and usually filmed in front of a live audience, found themselves jeopardy.

But the seeds for the book were sown a decade or so earlier, during the 2008 “credit crunch.” Then, Burstall was the CEO of Leopard Films, which he had founded in 2001 following stints at Oxford University and Stanford and a transitory career in journalism working for Vanity Fair and London’s Evening Standard newspaper. Leopard was chugging along nicely, pumping out hits such as BBC daytime staple “Cash in the Attic,” when disaster struck for the first time. Fuelled by the sub-prime mortgage crisis,...

This list applies to UK streaming services

If you’ve had a tough day and need a laugh, this list’ll see you right. These are the British big guns. Big comedy guns, firing… laughter-bullets! Ak-47s of mirth, spraying chuckles through… look, yes, okay, that’s terrible. A stop to that. Agreed. We’re all just trying to do our best here.

Helping us to keep a grip when the world seems a scary place are these excellent British comedies, all available to stream on the UK’s various platforms. Find a bunch of comforting and familiar favourites and some newer arrivals below.

We’ll keep this list updated as shows enter and exit the streaming catalogues. Parents may also like a look at our best kids’ TV streaming recommendations, while here are our picks of the best British TV dramas to stream in the UK.

After Life

Ricky Gervais...

Paul Whitehouse was asked if he had any advice for John Cleese following the news that the Monty Python star was reviving his hit Seventies sitcom, Fawlty Towers.

Earlier this month, Cleese announced that he and his daughter Camilla Cleese would be writing and starring in the reboot.

Fellow veteran comedic actor Whitehouse was asked about the revival by Andrew Marr on his eponymous Lbc talk show on Tuesday (21 February).

“You think I'm going to give Cleese advice? Don’t do it, John! Get someone younger in!” Whitehouse joked.

Marr then asked the Harry and Paul star about the state of comedy and the acceptability of jokes made years ago.

“Things you could say last year, you have to reevaluate now and you have to tread very carefully,” the 64-year-old replied.

“There’s a zeal about it – of addressing, perhaps, issues that have gone unaddressed in the past,” Whitehouse said,...

Mackenzie Crook said his family are “clutching at straws” to find his sister-in-law who went missing a week ago.

Laurel Aldridge, 62, was reported missing from her home in Walberton, in the Arundel area of West Sussex, on Tuesday (14 February).

Crook, who is known for roles in The Office, Pirates Of The Caribbean, and Worzel Gummidge, said on Good Morning Britain: “It’s a week now, it was this time last Tuesday that she left the house with nothing but the clothes she was wearing, no keys, money, phone, and she’s not been seen since.

“I’m here at Slindon cricket ground which was the last positive sighting we had of her and that was a week ago, since then, nothing.

“She was diagnosed with cancer last year and she missed her fifth chemo session last Tuesday and we think that’s what has triggered some sort of crisis...

Mackenzie Crook said his family are “clutching at straws” to find his sister-in-law who went missing a week ago.

Laurel Aldridge, 62, was reported missing from her home in Walberton, in the Arundel area of West Sussex, on Tuesday (14 February).

Crook, who is known for roles in The Office, Pirates Of The Caribbean, and Worzel Gummidge, said on Good Morning Britain: “It’s a week now, it was this time last Tuesday that she left the house with nothing but the clothes she was wearing, no keys, money, phone, and she’s not been seen since.

“I’m here at Slindon cricket ground which was the last positive sighting we had of her and that was a week ago, since then, nothing.

“She was diagnosed with cancer last year and she missed her fifth chemo session last Tuesday and we think that’s what has triggered some sort of crisis...

To mark the release of Detectorists Movie Special on 30th January, we’ve been given a DVD copy to give away to 1 winner.

Meet Andy and Lance – two eager detectorists who share a dream of finding a buried treasure that will change their lives, in a deeply humorous and heart-warming portrayal of male friendship and metal-detecting. We follow their lives, loves and discoveries over the course of three uplifting series. Jones and Crook both give charming and deeply human performances as two men searching for the past, finding connections and providing oodles of comedy gold along the way.

The Detectorists Movie Special finds the loveable, comedic duo reunited for one final hurrah, full of light drama, gentle wit, whimsical humour and beautiful scenery. Five years on from the events of series three, the Danebury Metal Detecting Club is under threat from developers who want to close the hall… When Lance...

For the first time since 2019 BC (Before Covid), Christmas is starting to look like Christmas again. Employees will humiliate themselves at festive work parties. Families will guiltlessly gather around the dinner table. For a few years now, these traditions have been out of reach, but the thing that’s been a constant, and is back again this year, is Christmas TV. Whether it’s worth watching, though, is less of a sure thing.

As a festive gift from us to you, we’ve watched a selection of some of the biggest shows that are on the way, so we can help you choose what to prioritise between glasses of sherry and naps on the couch. From the return of Happy Valley after a six-year hiatus and the arrival of new drama Without Sin, to the court-case-inspired comedy Vardy v Rooney, here’s what you can expect on your screens this Christmas…...

As he and Mackenzie Crook revive their beloved treasure hunters for a Christmas special, the actor reveals how their pairing began, what his four new projects are – and why there’s no such thing as a small role

If you ask actor Toby Jones what he did all day, the answer will often be a whole load of nothing. “You spend a lot of time waiting in my job. A lot of time hanging around,” he says, before detailing the previous day’s 11-hour schedule of kicking about on a Budapest industrial estate, punctuated by two brief stints shooting “quite a casual scene – me and the lead actor, in a car”.

It sounds like nothing much and yet clearly it’s something. At 56, Jones is widely considered to rank among Britain’s finest actors. Ever since his screen debut as “second valet” in Sally Potter’s Orlando 30 years ago, he...

The BBC has unveiled its Christmas TV line-up for the 2022 festive season.

From brand new shows to festive editions of fan favourites, there is plenty of programming on offer across the genres of drama, comedy, entertainment and more.

The biggest highlights this year include the “life-affirming” Scottish drama Mayflies, a tale of male friendship based on Andrew O’Hagan’s 2021 novel, starring Martin Compston, Tony Curran and Ashley Jensen. Sally Wainwright’s Bafta-winning Happy Valley also returns to the BBC for its much-anticipated third and final series, after a six-year hiatus, with Sarah Lancashire back as Sgt Catherine Cawood.

Viewers will be treated to the final chapter of the epic trilogy His Dark Materials, and Strike: Troubled Blood, which sees Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) visit family in Cornwall when he’s called on to solve a mysterious cold case.

In the world of comedy, fans will have plenty to look forward...

The BBC is investing an additional £10 million (12.3 million) in developing comedy.

Speaking at the BBC Comedy Festival in Newcastle, U.K., on Wednesday, BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie also revealed that the broadcaster will double the number of half-hour pilots made.

BBC Comedy and BBC Sounds will co-commission up to four audio comedy pilots. BBC Comedy Short Films will launch in June, consolidating current short form strands to create a space for both new and established talent to experiment and develop new work. Existing writing grants are being expanded into the BBC Comedy Bursary Collective initiative, which will give emerging comedy directors and producers a place to hone their craft.

BBC also unveiled a revival, commissions and re-commissions. Jack Whitehall’s “Bad Education,” that ran for three seasons from 2012 through 2014, is being revived with a one-off 10th anniversary special, followed by a new six-part series written by a team of breakthrough writers.

Exclusive: The BBC has committed big to comedy by adding £10M (12M) to the genre’s budget over the next two years, as Director Jon Petrie talks up U.S. co-pros and unveils a new season of Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education, a Detectorists feature and recommissions of The Cleaner, Jerk and Guilt.

The extra cash is intended for “high-impact material that represents the whole of the UK” and will help with “rising costs,” according to Petrie, who described it as a “sizeable increase.”

“I feel very lucky that we have it,” he added, as he chatted to Deadline before heading up to Newcastle for the BBC’s inaugural Comedy Festival, an event that has been keeping him busy since he replaced Shane Allen around six months ago. The likes of Romesh Ranganathan and Charlie Brooker are taking part in the Festival.

The money comes as the BBC prepares to...

Like the one before it, 2021 was a year in which many of us saw more of our TVs than of our friends and loved ones. It was lucky then, that there was so bloody much of the stuff, despite the pandemic’s best efforts to shut it all down. They might have been delayed, they might have been curtailed, but they weren’t stopped. Returning British TV shows returned like spring lambs, gambolling over the horizon right into your living room.

There was comedy and drama, as well as crime thrillers by the lorryload, and sci-fi and fantasy coming by the… much smaller lorryload.

A Discovery of Witches Season 2 (January)

Based on Deborah Harkness’ All Souls trilogy about the forbidden love between a powerful witch and a centuries-old vampire, A Discovery Of Witches debuted on Sky in autumn 2018 (read our reviews here) and was renewed for series two and three almost straight away.

He may have an impressive film CV, but the actor is destined to be remembered as The Office’s resident dork. He talks about why he was perfect for the role, his new movie, Don’t Tell a Soul – and his love for Steve Coogan

Some actors associated with a signature role will tire of talking about it. No such preciousness from Rainn Wilson, who appears on camera from his Los Angeles home wearing a grey T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Scranton”. That Pennsylvania city provided the setting for the US version of the mockumentary sitcom The Office, which ran for nine widely adored, award-winning series. Wilson earned three Emmy nominations for playing the livid, disagreeable Dwight, the Rust Belt equivalent of Mackenzie Crook’s Gareth. Today’s beard and baseball cap, as well as his chipper demeanour, banishes all memory of the pasty face, DIY haircut and startled expression he wore in that show.

Doctor Who actress Catherine Tate has landed her own Netflix series.

The British comedy performer, best known in the UK for her sketch series The Catherine Tate Show, has created six-part women’s prison mockumentary Hard Cell for Netflix.

Here’s the logline: “Tate plays multiple characters as a documentary crew follows the inmates and staff of Hmp Woldsley capturing the penal system at its brutal humorous best.”

Hard Cell is produced by Argonon-backed Leopard Pictures, which is behind Mackenzie Crook’s BBC show Worzel Gummidge.

Executive producer Kristian Smith said: “We cannot wait to show audiences on Netflix the inside of Hmp Woldsley, our fictional prison occupied by the fantastic creations of Catherine Tate. This series is funny and touching all at once, revealing what life might be like in a British women’s correctional facility.”...

Exclusive: John Bishop, the British comedian and soon-to-be star of Doctor Who, is shuttering his production outfit Lola Entertainment after nine years.

Lola Entertainment has been the vehicle through which Bishop has produced a number of his own projects, including BBC One’s The John Bishop Show, UKTV’s John Bishop: In Conversation With…, and ITV’s John Bishops Ireland.

The company also co-produced scripted shows, including the BBC’s BAFTA-winning series Detectorists, starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones, and the Worzel Gummidge series of specials for BBC One.

Bishop and his Lola co-director, the agent Lisa Thomas, are winding up the company voluntarily. Creditors have been invited to submit proof of their debts by January 11 should they require repayment. The liquidation is being overseen by accountancy firm Cowgills.

According to Lola’s most-recent accounts for the year to November 2019, the company owed creditors £61,429. It had capital and reserves of...

Thank the gods for brilliant screenwriters. That’s why they’re the most sought-after gold currency in today’s streaming wars, from Scott Frank (“The Queen’s Gambit”) and Peter Morgan (“The Crown”) to Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Killing Eve”) and Lena Waithe (“The Chi”).

These scribes hole up in their lonely rooms and think and dream and write, conjuring characters, dialogue, scenes, and episodes that will grab viewers away from something else they could be watching. And a special few bring to life entire made-up worlds, including David Benioff and Dan Weiss (“Game of Thrones”), Ronald D. Moore (the reimagined “Battlestar Galactica”), and now, the creator of “Britannia,” lauded British playwright Jez Butterworth.

This is Butterworth’s first go-round as a showrunner. He’s written plenty of screenplays for Hollywood (“Ford v Ferrari”), but was driven away from his early directing ambitions by a miserable run-in at age 29 with Harvey Weinstein on his sophomore movie,...