Vicious (TV series)
| Vicious | |
|---|---|
.png) | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by |
Mark Ravenhill Gary Janetti |
| Written by | Gary Janetti |
| Directed by | Ed Bye |
| Starring |
Derek Jacobi Ian McKellen Frances de la Tour Iwan Rheon Marcia Warren Philip Voss |
| Opening theme | "Never Can Say Goodbye" by The Communards |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 + 1 Christmas special + 1 Final special |
| No. of episodes | 14 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Jane Featherstone Gary Janetti |
| Producer(s) | Gary Reich |
| Location(s) | The London Studios |
| Editor(s) |
Chris Wadsworth Mark Wybourne |
| Running time | 30 minutes (inc. adverts) |
| Production company(s) | Brown Eyed Boy and Kudos Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | ITV |
| Picture format | 16:9 (1080i HDTV) |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Original release | 29 April 2013 – 16 December 2016 |
Vicious is a British television sitcom shown on ITV. The series stars Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as Freddie and Stuart, an elderly gay couple who have been together for 50 years but endure a love/hate relationship.[1][2] The series premiered on 29 April 2013[3] with 5.78 million viewers.
On 14 May 2016, McKellen and Jacobi appeared as Freddie and Stuart during the Eurovision Song Contest where they are seen watching the contest.
Series overview
Vicious is set around the lives of ageing partners Freddie and Stuart, two men who have lived together in their Covent Garden flat for 48 years. Freddie was a struggling actor and Stuart worked in a bar when they first met, but their careers are over and their lives now consist of entertaining their frequent guests, making sure that their aged dog Balthazar is still breathing, and hurling antagonising comments towards each other.
Cast and characters
- Ian McKellen as Freddie Thornhill, an over-confident actor whose career consisted mainly of small parts. However, he behaves as though he is an immensely famous leading man. He married Stuart Bixby in the last episode of Series 2
- Derek Jacobi as Stuart Bixby, a former bar manager who married Freddie Thornhill in the last episode of Series 2.
- Frances de la Tour as Violet Crosby, a close friend of Freddie and Stuart, who has designs on their neighbour Ash.
- Iwan Rheon as Ash Weston, Freddie and Stuart's attractive young neighbour whom they befriend after he moves into the flat upstairs.
- Marcia Warren as Penelope, an old friend of Freddie and Stuart who has the potential to become confused over the simplest of things.
- Philip Voss as Mason Thornhill, Freddie's opinionated brother.
Guest cast
- Series 1
- Alexandra Roach as Chloe, Ash's vegan girlfriend ("Dinner Party")
- Hazel Douglas as Mildred, Stuart's mother ("Anniversary")
- Series 2
- Celia Imrie as Lilian, Violet's sister ("Sister")
- Jack Ashton as Theo, the gym instructor ("Gym")
- Georgia King as Jess, Ash's new girlfriend ("Sister", "Ballroom")
- Alexandra Roach as Chloe, Ash's ex-girlfriend ("Stag Do")
- Samuel Barnett as Young Stuart ("Flatmates")
- Luke Treadaway as Young Freddie ("Flatmates")
- Michael Cochrane as Jasper ("Wedding")
- Joan Linder as Mildred, Stuart's mother ("Wedding")
- The Finale
- Frances Barber as Carlotta
- Alistair Brammer as Oliver
- Richard Gadd as Delivery Man
Episodes
Series 1 (2013)
| Total no. |
Series no. |
Title | Director | Writer | Original air date | Viewers (millions)[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Wake" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 29 April 2013 | 5.78 |
| Freddie and Stuart host a wake to mark the passing of an old friend. Joined by their small circle of elderly friends, the couple manage to create a splendidly awkward evening of very little food and biting insults. They are also joined by their young new neighbour Ash, who spends the evening attempting to be a good guest whilst fending off the advances of Freddie and Stuart's best friend Violet. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Cheat" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 6 May 2013 | 3.82 |
| New neighbour Ash seeks advice from them on winning back his ex-girlfriend, and Violet and Penelope take Ash shopping for a gift. Spotting Stuart working in a men's outfitters, the trio suspects him of having an affair, but Stuart admits that he has taken a job because Freddie's acting career is currently not bringing in enough money. Later, Freddie goes to the shop and makes the same discovery, but pretends to believe that Stuart is having an affair because he does not want to hurt his pride. Ash tells Violet that he won his girlfriend back, but after witnessing the sacrifices of Freddie and Stuart, admires their closeness and ends his frivolous relationship. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Audition" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 13 May 2013 | 2.78 |
| Freddie has an important audition coming up whilst Ash frets over his own career direction. Freddie suggests that Ash pursue acting and teaches him the tricks of the trade, only to injure his confidence when Ash immediately secures an acting role; noting Freddie's new state of depression, Stuart schemes to renew his confidence. Meanwhile, Violet seeks advice from Freddie and Stuart on her sordid love affair with her Hungarian internet boyfriend. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Clubbing" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 20 May 2013 | 2.55 (overnight†)[5] |
| Ash invites Freddie, Stuart, Penelope and Mason to go clubbing, which Freddie and Stuart turn into a popularity contest. After becoming more popular with Ash's friends than Stuart, Freddie boasts his success, only to feel out of place due to his age. Realizing his inappropriate behaviour and selfishness, he then apologizes and makes up with Stuart. Meanwhile, Violet heads abroad to Argentina in order to meet her new online partner. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Dinner Party" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 3 June 2013 | 2.53 |
| Freddie, feeling low as his acting jobs appear to be drying up, invites Ash and his vegan girlfriend Chloe (Alexandra Roach) for one of Stuart's dinner parties. Finding Chloe both naïve and irritating, Stuart and Freddie endure the young couple's saccharine behaviour, only to later relish the bickering that develops. Meanwhile, Violet visits her internet boyfriend in Argentina, only to be handcuffed and robbed of her money and passport, stranding her in South America. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Anniversary" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 10 June 2013 | 2.77 |
| Freddie and Stuart are having a party to celebrate their 49th anniversary. Ash accidentally tells Stuart's mother Mildred (Hazel Douglas) about the party so Stuart decides that it is time he told her the truth about his relationship with Freddie. | ||||||
Christmas Special (2013)
| Total no. |
Series no. |
Title | Director | Writer | Original air date | Viewers (millions)[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | "Christmas Special" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 27 December 2013 | 3.15 |
| It's Christmas and Freddie and Stuart have invited the whole gang for a traditional Christmas dinner. The only problem is that Ash is cooking, Violet is bringing a new lover and Freddie has an incredibly demanding new acting gig. | ||||||
Series 2 (2015)
| Total no. |
Series no. |
Title | Director | Writer | Original air date | Viewers (millions)[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | "Sister" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 1 June 2015 | 3.00 |
| Violet panics when her wealthy sister Lillian (Celia Imrie) - whom she has not seen in years - announces a visit. Worried that Lillian will discover the truth about her circumstances, Violet and friends set in motion an elaborate plan to save her from humiliation. Meanwhile, Ash is keen to introduce the group to his new girlfriend, Jess (Georgia King), but he is in for a surprise. | ||||||
| 9 | 2 | "Gym" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 8 June 2015 | 2.40 |
| Feeling unfit, Freddie and Stuart join Ash at his gym, where a young fitness instructor persuades the pair to sign up for an expensive membership. With Freddie and Stuart spending so much time at the gym, Violet and Penelope discover how pleasant their flat can be without the bickering pair in it. | ||||||
| 10 | 3 | "Ballroom" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 15 June 2015 | 2.38 |
| The gang decides to join Ash and Jess (Georgia King) at a ballroom dancing class. Nimble on his feet, Stuart quickly becomes teacher's pet, leaving Freddie in a huff, while Violet becomes a hit with the amorous teacher in other ways. | ||||||
| 11 | 4 | "Stag Do" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 22 June 2015 | 2.25 |
| Finding themselves both single, Violet and Ash consider dating new people, Violet has already met someone on the internet, while Ash's ex, Chloe (Alexandra Roach), returns. Freddie, meanwhile, feels under pressure from Stuart to land a new acting role. | ||||||
| 12 | 5 | "Flatmates" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 29 June 2015 | 2.17 |
| After Freddie and Stuart have a falling out, Stuart moves in with Ash and Violet moves in with Freddie. | ||||||
| 13 | 6 | "Wedding" | Ed Bye | Gary Janetti | 6 July 2015 | 2.06 (overnight†)[6] |
| Freddie and Stuart's wedding day arrives, but Mason and Penelope have problems getting the cake, Violet's wayward husband Jasper finally turns up to cause trouble and Stuart's mum dies at the wedding ceremony. | ||||||
Special (2016)
A one-off special aired 19 June 2016 in the US. It will air on 16 December 2016 in the UK and will be the show's final episode.[7]
| Total no. | Series no. | Title | Director | Writer | Original air date | Viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 7 | "The Finale" | Ben Kellett | Gary Janetti | 16 December 2016 | TBD |
| In spring, Freddie and Stuart attempt to hide their recently gained inheritance. Violet has financial troubles after her recent divorce and Ash struggles to meet his rent. Signs of Freddie and Stuart’s expenditure soon threaten the pretence as their home is overrun with guests. In summer, it's Freddie's birthday party and an unexpected card arrives. Stuart prepares a very special present, Violet has a surprising announcement, and Ash and Penelope share a secret. In autumn, Ash arrives at Freddie and Stuart's flat with news, whilst in winter the gang gather round at Christmas to experience Freddie’s latest acting job. | ||||||
Broadcast
Vicious premiered on 29 April 2013[3] and garnered 5.78 million viewers. The first series ended on 10 June 2013, and was released on DVD on 20 November 2013.[8][9] On 23 August 2013, it was confirmed that Vicious had been renewed for a second series, which began airing on 1 June 2015 and concluded on 6 July 2015.[10]
Starting in late June 2014, the first series began airing in the United States on various PBS stations.[11]
It was confirmed in December 2015 that the series would be ending in 2016 with a Final Special. The special was filmed at The London Studios on the 22nd and 23 December 2015.
On June 19, 2016, the Finale Special was aired in the United States on PBS. The UK air date is scheduled for December 2016.[12]
Reception
Vicious was met with generally positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an 80% "Fresh" rating based on ten reviews which are all from American critics in 2014.
Keith Watson of Metro wrote a favourable review, calling Vicious "nostalgic fun".[13]
Christopher Stevens of the Daily Mail also wrote a favourable review, calling McKellen and Jacobi "the Steptoe & Son of the gay and Thespian community".[14]
Morgan Jeffery of Digital Spy wrote a mixed review, finding the show an "uncomfortable blend of coarse humour and '70s sitcom-style cosiness".[15] Describing the script as "lazy", he thought that the show couldn't "decide if it wants to be edgy and rude or traditional fun for all the family", but praised the "strong" cast, ultimately awarding the series two out of five stars.[15]
Kevin O'Sullivan of the Sunday Mirror called it a "horrible half-hour of 1970s-style net curtain cosiness" in a negative review of ITV's Monday night comedy offerings.[16] In a 29 April 2013 review in the Telegraph, Benjamin Secher claimed it is "the least funny new comedy in recent memory", giving it 1 out of 5 stars. He also wrote that "the script fell disastrously flat".[17] Writing in the London Evening Standard, Brian Sewell described the series as "a spiteful parody that could not have been nastier had it been devised and written by a malevolent and recriminatory heterosexual".[18]
DVD release
The first series of Vicious was released on DVD in the UK on 20 November 2013 by 4DVD. The second series was released on 13 July 2015. Neither release contains the 2013 Christmas special which remains unreleased on DVD in the UK so far (though it is available on the North American release).
Notes
References
- ↑ Jeffery, Morgan (2012-11-05). "Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Derek Jacobi to star in ITV sitcom 'Vicious'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- ↑ Deans, Jason (2012-11-05). "Sir Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi play gay couple in Vicious ITV comedy". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- 1 2 "Vicious - Production Details & Cast and Crew". British Comedy Guide. 2013-03-05. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- 1 2 3 BARB Ratings
- ↑ Digital Spy - Overnight ratings for Mon 20 May 2013
- ↑ Overnight ratings for Mon 6 July 2015
- ↑ "Vicious to return for new special". British Comedy Guide. December 18, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
- ↑ "Vicious Series 1 (DVD) - Merchandise". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- ↑ "Vicious - Series 1 [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- ↑ "'Vicious' renewed for second series by ITV, 'Job Lot' moving to ITV2". Digital Spy. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ↑ "Vicious episode 101" (first ed.). 29 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ↑ "Vicious". Vicious. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
- ↑ Watson, Keith (30 April 2013). "'Vicious' review: Vicious was nostalgic fun with Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi on top form". Metro. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
- ↑ Stevens, Christopher (29 April 2013). "'Vicious' review: Darlings, it's the Steptoe & Son of the gay and Thespian community". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
- 1 2 Jeffery, Morgan (29 April 2013). "'Vicious' review: McKellen, Jacobi can't save ITV's tired, lazy sitcom". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
- ↑ The Mirror
- ↑ Secher, Benjamin (29 April 2013). "Vicious (ITV): the least funny new comedy in recent memory, review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
- ↑ Sewell, Brian (2013-05-07). "Brian Sewell: Vicious is a throwback to far darker gay times". London Evening Standard, 7 May 2013.
External links
- Vicious at British Comedy Guide
- Vicious title sequence on Vimeo
- Official Twitter page
- Vicious at the Internet Movie Database