Henpocalypse!
Henpocalypse! is a 2023 British comedy television series on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 15 August 2023.
| Henpocalypse! | |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Caroline Moran |
| Directed by | Jack Clough Holly Walsh |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Imogen Cooper |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | 15 August 2023 – present |
Synopsis edit
Unbeknownst to a group of Birmingham women on a hen-do in remote North Wales, and their hired male stripper, an apocalypse of crab measles threatens to wipe out human civilisation.[1]
Cast edit
Main cast edit
- Lucie Shorthouse as Zara
- Callie Cooke as Shelly
- Elizabeth Berrington as Bern
- Kate O'Flynn as Jen
- Lauren O'Rourke as Veena
Supporting cast edit
- Catherine Ayers as Leonie
- George Somner as Gary
- Kaine Zajaz as Lee Rhind
- Mariam Haque as Nesbit
- Roya Amini as Kelly
- Tasha James as Donna
- Ben McGregor as Drew
- Danny Dyer as himself
- Jess as Barney the Dog
Episodes edit
| No. | Title [2] | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [2] | U.K. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Tits Up" | Holly Walsh / Jack Clough | Caroline Moran | 15 August 2023 | N/A |
| 2 | "Ends Of The Earth" | Jack Clough | Caroline Moran | 22 August 2023 | N/A |
| 3 | "Liquid Gold" | Jack Clough | Caroline Moran | 29 August 2023 | N/A |
| 4 | "Feel The Bern" | Jack Clough | Caroline Moran | 5 September 2023 | N/A |
| 5 | "Don't Tell The Bride" | Jack Clough | Caroline Moran | 12 September 2023 | N/A |
| 6 | "The Big Day" | Jack Clough | Caroline Moran | 19 September 2023 | N/A |
Production edit
A six-part series of 30 minute episodes was commissioned in July 2022 for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Executive producers on the series include Phil Clarke, Helen Williams and Roberto Troni.[3] Written by Caroline Moran, the series has Holly Walsh & Jack Clough as a director.[4] The series is produced by Phil Clarke and Jesse Armstrong’s production company, Various Artists Limited.[5]
Casting edit
The main cast features Elizabeth Berrington, Lucie Shorthouse, Callie Cooke, Lauren O'Rourke, and Kate O'Flynn.[6] Screenwriter Moran personally wrote Danny Dyer an email to request his cameo appearance.[7]
Filming edit
Filming locations included Pensby Boys School on the Wirral.[8] Filming also took place in North Wales, in early 2023.[9] Locations in Wales include Abergele, with Llanfair Talhaiarn and Moel Famau, in the Clwydian Range also used.[10]
Broadcast edit
The programme premiered on BBC Two and the BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom on 15 August 2023.[11]
Reception edit
David Craig in The Radio Times says "it's totally daft but unashamedly so, and there's a lot of fun to be had for those willing to go along for the ride".[12]
Rebecca Nicholson in The Guardian said it was a "big, robust comedy", which "isn't for the faint-hearted".[13]
It was a The Times Critics' choice saying the show was "coarse, amoral and seriously funny. Bring on series two."[14]
Frances Taylor in The Radio Times calls it "bold, brash and a lot of fun".[15]
The Daily Telegraph called it "gleefully broad and raucously entertaining".[16]
Rachel Cooke in The New Statesman called the comedy on the show “relentlessly laboured” full of “faux-feminist puerility”.[17]
References edit
- ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (12 August 2023). "Henpocalypse: The hilarious hen-do comedy about drinking 'penis coladas' at the end of the world". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Henpocalypse! episode guide - British Comedy Guide". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Henpocalypse! commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer". Advanced-Television. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Gilbert, Gerard (15 August 2023). "What's on TV tonight: A hen party is interrupted by the end of the world in Henpocalypse!". inews. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Khomani, Nadia (12 August 2023). "'Female version of the Lord of the Flies': BBC sitcom explores hen do that goes feral". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ May, Naomi (14 August 2023). "Henpocalypse: This New BBC Comedy Is About A Hen Party Being Derailed By The Apocalypse". Elle. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Craig, David. "Henpocalypse! creator 'begged' Danny Dyer to star: "It had to be him"". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Greer, Jamie (12 August 2023). "BBC comedy filmed in former Wirral school to start next week". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Craig, David (15 February 2023). "Elizabeth Berrington on Henpocalypse! and the reality of ageism in TV". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Nisbet, Megan (17 August 2023). "BBC Henpocalypse! cast list, Welsh filming locations and how many episodes". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ "Prepare for the Henpocalypse". Chortle. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Henpocalypse! Unashamedly fun – as any good hen do should be". The Radio Times. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Henpocalypse! The hilarious hen-do comedy about drinking 'penis coladas' at the end of the world". Guardian. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Henpocalypse!". The Times. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Henpocalypse!". The Radio Times. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Henpocalypse!". The Daily Telegraph. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Henpocalypse! How did this painful dildo-wielding comedy make it to air?". New Statesman. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
External links edit
- Henpocalypse! at IMDb