Only Child (TV series)
| Only Child | |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Bryce Hart |
| Directed by | Al Campbell Holly Walsh |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Neil Webster |
| Producer | Ursula Haworth |
| Production company |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Scotland |
| Release | 21 November 2024 – present |
Only Child is a 2024 British comedy sitcom series starring Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh. It was released on BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer on 21 November 2024 and BBC One on 22 November 2024.
Synopsis
[edit]Richard Prichard, an actor, returns from London to visit his recently widowed father Ken in his family home in Forres in Moray.[1]
Cast
[edit]- Gregor Fisher as Ken
- Greg McHugh as Richard
- Amy Lennox as Emily, Ken's neighbour and Richard's schoolfriend
- Clare Barrett as Jen
- Robin Laing as Ian
- Paul Rattray as Digsy, Richard's schoolfriend
- Stuart Bowman as Rod, Ken's next-door neighbour
- Forbes Masson as Crawford
- Jennifer Saunders as Sally (voice), Richard's inept agent
- Belinda Owusu as Dr Roach, Ken’s Doctor
Production
[edit]The six-part series is a Happy Tramp North production. It is written by Bryce Hart and directed by Al Campbell and Holly Walsh. The producer is Ursula Haworth and the executive producer is Neil Webster.[2][3]
The cast is led by Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh, which McHugh described working closely with Fisher as a "dream come true".[4][5] McHugh also said the character of Richard is "the closest I have played to myself in terms of a character. I sometimes find him a bit annoying. Although, people might say that about me who know me."[6] The cast includes Forbes Masson, Amy Lennox, Clare Barrett, Robin Laing, Paul Rattray and Jennifer Saunders in a voice role. Themes developed in the series include mortality, ageing, parent-child relationships and intergenerational differences.[7]
The series began filming in Scotland in July 2024.[8] Filming locations including Glasgow, Whitecraigs Railway Station and Barrhead.[9]
Broadcast
[edit]It premiered on BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer on 21 November 2024 and on BBC One 22 November 2024.[10]
Reception
[edit]Alison Rowat in The Herald praised the humour in the series and said "the best thing about Only Child, however, is the casting… Individually, Fisher and McHugh are class acts. Together, they are a dream ticket. It’s as if they’ve been together for years."[11] Rachel Aroesti in The Guardian also praised the humour saying "I laughed out loud five times during the first three minutes.. Bryce Hart’s script is meticulously dense with gags, delivered with exemplary timing by its two leads. In other words, it’s pretty funny".[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Taylor, Mike (20 November 2024). "Only Child release date, plot, trailer and cast as new Scottish comedy comes to BBC". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ McArdell, Ian (3 July 2024). "Only Child – filming begins on new comedy with Gregor Fisher". CultBox. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Only Child". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ Greenaway, Heather (13 November 2024). "Comedian Greg McHugh says playing Gregor Fisher's son in new sitcom 'Only Child' is a dream come true". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Richardson, Jay (5 February 2024). "Gregor Fisher & Greg McHugh to star in BBC One sitcom Only Child". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Ferguson, Brian (12 November 2024). "Gary: Tank Commander star says new Scottish sitcom role is 'closest I have played to myself'". The Scotsman. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Swarbrick, Susan (16 November 2024). "Greg McHugh's guide to new Scots comedy Only Child with Gregor Fisher". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Only Child - new BBC comedy series starring Gregor Fisher & Greg McHugh – begins filming in Scotland". Screen Scotland. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Webster, Kieran (16 November 2024). "Rab C. Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher reveals 'full circle moment' during filming for new BBC comedy series". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ Fotheringham, Ann (12 November 2024). "Rab C Nesbitt and Guilt stars unite for new comedy TV series". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "New BBC Scotland sitcom is 'quite good' says stunned critic". HeraldScotland. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Aroesti, Rachel (22 November 2024). "Only Child review – this bittersweet comedy is absolutely packed with laughs". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2024.