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This Country
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| This Country | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Tom George |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 19 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Stephen McCrum |
| Producer | Simon Mayhew-Archer |
| Editor | Craig Harbour |
| Running time | 21–31minutes |
| Production company | BBC Studios |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Three |
| Release | 8 February 2017 – 23 March 2020 |
This Country is a British mockumentary sitcom, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Three on 8 February 2017. Created by, written by and starring siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper and directed by Tom George, the series focuses on the day-to-day lives of two cousins living in a small hamlet in the Cotswolds.[1] The programme includes themes of social clumsiness, the trivialities of human behaviour, the eccentricities of living in rural England, and the boredom and social isolation of young people in small communities.[2][3]
The Cooper siblings play the central characters, cousins Kerry and Lee "Kurtan" Mucklowe.[4] Much of the series revolves around their unlikely friendship with the local vicar, Rev. Francis Seaton, played by Paul Chahidi.[5] The Coopers’ father, Paul Cooper, plays Kerry's father Martin Mucklowe,[6][7] while their uncle, Trevor Cooper, plays local man and antagonist Len Clifton.[8][9][10] Although credited to "Ivy Woodcock", the voice of Sue Mucklowe – Kerry's mother, never seen on screen—is provided by Daisy May.[11]
Across the three series and the special, This Country received more than 52 million BBC iPlayer requests.[12]
Cast
[edit]Main cast
[edit]- Daisy May Cooper as Kerry Mucklowe. Kerry lives with her mother, Sue, who is never seen (also voiced by Cooper, she communicates with Kerry by yelling at her from her bedroom). Due to the limited opportunities and mundanity in the rural area where she lives, she is nihilistic and lacking in self-purpose, frequently finding herself with very little to do other than spend time with her cousin, Kurtan, with whom she engages in absent-minded mischief and occasionally antisocial behaviour. Kerry often struggles to put other people before herself and this is demonstrated in Episode 1 of series 2 "Random Acts of Kindness" where she donates a PS3 to Slugs as a goodwill gesture, then immediately requests it back after Slugs doesn't show a level of gratitude that she wanted. She tends to see herself as a figure of authority in the village with "enemies" in nearby villages. In reality, no one sees her this way because she often shies away from confrontation, and her attempts to present herself as tough and authoritative are usually met with mockery or accusations of acting up in front of the cameras. Throughout the series, more details are revealed about Kerry's difficult family situation which undoubtedly have shaped her behaviour and character.
- Charlie Cooper as Lee "Kurtan" Mucklowe, Kerry's cousin. Although equally as bored as his cousin Kerry, Kurtan tends to have slightly more ambition in life and has plans to leave the village in order to fulfil it, although these are usually ill-fated. He is also somewhat more sensitive and considerate to other people than Kerry, and has an especially close attachment to the village's vicar, Rev. Francis Seaton. However, he can be cynical, paranoid and prone to angry outbursts, and as much as he tries to rise above Kerry's immaturity, he is sometimes not much better and often finds himself in conflicts about trivial issues. He lives with his grandmother, whom Kerry despises.
Supporting cast
[edit]- Paul Chahidi as the Rev. Francis Seaton, the parish vicar. Kind-hearted Rev. Seaton is responsible for most of the events that bring the village community together. He is also something of a father figure and mentor to Kerry and Kurtan (in a sense filling a void left by Kerry's negligent parents), assisting them in times of need and encouraging them to be good people, which is not always met with compliance. While Kerry and Kurtan mock his old-fashioned tastes and his Christian do-gooder persona, this is done with good intentions as they are generally very fond of him since he has their interests at heart more than anyone else in the community. His role as vicar requires him to be a friend to everyone in the community, and he is always happy to lend an ear to anyone, though this means when conflicts do arise he struggles to manage them.
- Michael Sleggs as Michael "Slugs" Slugette (series 1–2). A quiet young man who has terminal cancer. Despite his tragic circumstances, Kerry and Kurtan show a reticence to become too friendly with him, describing him as "annoying".
- Paul Cooper as Martin Mucklowe, Kerry's estranged father. Although Kerry thinks the world of her dad, he is shown to be a selfish, narcissistic man who does not reciprocate her fondness for him at all, and in the rare event he does pay her any attention it is almost always for personal gain. Much to the protests of others who all see him as the man he is, Kerry ignores this and continues time and again to give Martin the benefit of the doubt under the delusion that he cares about her, even after his attempts to manipulate her into handing herself in for stealing vacuum cleaners, a crime which he himself perpetrated but set Kerry up for. He has fathered two other children, Martin and Marvin, with Sandra. This is Paul Cooper's first acting role - he is the lead actors' real father, and had no previous experience when he was encouraged to go to the screen test for the role of Martin Mucklowe.[6] Cooper reportedly based the voice and mannerisms of his character on unsettling police interview tapes with serial killer Fred West,[6] who lived nearby in Gloucester.
- Ashley McGuire as Mandy Harris. Known as 'Big Mandy' to some, she is a woman in the village who has a thuggish-looking appearance and an unsettlingly boorish demeanour. Her behaviour can be unpredictable and as a result of this, she is the only person in the village that Kerry and Kurtan genuinely find intimidating, though it is never certain as to whether she intends to be a bully to people or is in fact a rather lonely, misunderstood woman. She has a brash manner of speaking and tells whimsical anecdotes in which she has committed acts of violence or other forms of crime, such as the time she stalked Hannah Spearritt from S Club 7 for three or four years. Though Kerry and Kurtan never know whether to believe such stories, they nonetheless give her the air of a possible ex-convict which causes them to label her a 'psychopath'. In truth, very little is known about her backstory. She often pursues short-lived creative endeavours, such as becoming a tattoo artist and joining the village book club to showcase her creative writing skills, but her efforts are often laughably poor as she demonstrably possesses very little creative talent.
Recurring cast
[edit]- Trevor Cooper as Len Clifton. An elderly, lonely man who is a hoarder.
- Daisy May Cooper (credited as Ivy Woodcock) as Sue Mucklowe (voice only)
- Eliza Hunt as June Winwood (series 1, 3)
- Celeste Dring as Kayleigh Hudson, a painfully shy and emotionless girl who becomes Kurtan's short-lived girlfriend before ending up with Slugs.
- Badger Skelton as Levi Johnson (series 1)
- David Hargreaves as Arthur Andrews (series 2–3)
- Abra Thompson as Sophie Huxley (series 2–3)
- Nic Kozyrev as Liam "Pork Chop" Dunmore (series 1–3)
- Colin Wakeman as Colin Cresswell (series 2–3)
Guest cast
[edit]- Matthew Rees as Robert Robinson (series 1)
- Preston Nyman as "Weak" Nathan Kay (series 1)
- Laura Checkley as Shaz Gallagher (series 1)
- David Nightingale as Steve "Nugget" Nuggins, Kerry's uncle (series 1)
- Alfie Simmons as Neil "Count Fartula" Pedley (series 1)
- Liam Steward-George as PC Webber (series 1–2)
- Jimmy Walker as Dan Greaves (series 2–3)
- Gerran Howell as Jacob Seaton, the Vicar's son (series 2)
Production
[edit]The series was filmed on location in and around the small town of Northleach. Daisy Cooper said, "All the material is based around stuff that happens in Cirencester, but when we went to the channel they thought that Cirencester was a bit too big and Northleach is a smaller village, and sort of isolates the characters a bit more. Makes them more claustrophobic."[3] The location used for exterior shots of Kerry's house is at 16 Fortey Road in Northleach.[13][14]
Filming for the first series began in September 2016 and finished three weeks later.[3][8] A second series was quickly confirmed, with filming taking place over the summer of 2017 and its first episode being released on 26 February 2018.[15] A one-off special episode, forming an epilogue to the second series, was filmed over the summer of 2018 and broadcast in October that year.[16]
On 30 May 2019, actor Michael Sleggs announced that he was suffering from heart issues and did not have long to live.[17] He died 40 days later at the age of 33.[18] The third and final series was filmed from August to October 2019, and broadcast from February to March 2020.[16][19]
Episodes
[edit]| Series | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 6 | 8 February 2017 | 15 March 2017 | |
| 2 | 6 (+1) | 26 February 2018 | 2 April 2018 10 October 2018 (special) | |
| 3 | 6 | 17 February 2020 | 23 March 2020 | |
Series 1 (2017)
[edit]| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Scarecrow"[20] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 8 February 2017 | |
|
Kurtan enters the annual village scarecrow-making competition with high hopes of winning first prize and getting his photograph on the front page of The Gazette. His hopes are dashed when he finds there has been a mix-up with the allocation of pitches and he must set up his scarecrow at the distant and little-visited Trowley Bottom Farm. Kerry is apparently challenged to a fight by youths from a neighbouring village. | |||||
| 2 | "Mandy"[21] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 15 February 2017 | |
|
Kerry and Kurtan are celebrating the news that their former woodwork teacher from school has died. Kurtan becomes obsessed with discovering what happened to Rob Robinson, a classmate whom neither Kerry nor Slugs can recall. Mandy, the local "hard woman", informs them that she is setting up a business as a tattoo artist and intimidates Kerry into agreeing to have a tattoo, despite demonstrating that she has no artistic talents. | |||||
| 3 | "Oven Space"[22] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 22 February 2017 | |
|
Kerry and Kurtan are awaiting the arrival home of their uncle, "Nugget" Nuggins, who is being released from prison. It becomes apparent that while Kerry looks up to Nugget and is excited by the prospect of his return, Kurtan is not so enthusiastic and is terrified of him. The cousins argue bitterly over whose food should occupy the top shelf of the oven. | |||||
| 4 | "King of the Nerds"[23] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 1 March 2017 | |
|
Following an argument with her mother about money, Kerry decides to look for a job. With an assurance of potential earnings of £15,000 per month, she is persuaded to join a pyramid scheme, taking out a loan of £200 to buy her way in. Assisted by Kurtan she attempts to establish a door-to-door sales operation. However, Kurtan is instead more interested in playing Warhammer with his new "nerdy" friends, Neil and Nathan. | |||||
| 5 | "Peeping Tom"[24] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 8 March 2017 | |
|
Kerry's estranged father Martin is accused of voyeurism and kicked out of his home by his girlfriend Sandra. Kerry attempts to establish a new relationship with him while he is temporarily living in a caravan in a field. Kurtan and Slugs become rivals for the attentions of Kayleigh Hudson, a girl who has just moved to the village. | |||||
| 6 | "GNVQ"[25] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 15 March 2017 | |
|
Kurtan is offered a place at Swindon College, studying for a GNVQ in health and social care. Kerry has difficulty coming to terms with the idea that he will be leaving the village and her behind. Rev. Seaton attempts to act as an intermediary to reconcile their differences. | |||||
Series 2 (2018)
[edit]| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Random Acts of Kindness"[26] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 26 February 2018 | |
|
Kerry has turned over a new leaf and is trying to do good deeds for her community. Meanwhile, Kurtan is coming to terms with his decision not to go to Swindon College and is struggling to get back into the swing of village life. | |||||
| 2 | "Threatening Letters"[26] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 5 March 2018 | |
|
Kerry starts to receive some threatening letters that cause her to feel unsettled within the village. Kerry's neighbour, 'Big' Mandy Harris, is on hand to help and advise. Meanwhile, Kurtan takes a labouring job with Kerry's father, Martin, and learns some invaluable life lessons. | |||||
| 3 | "Minor Injuries"[27] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 12 March 2018 | |
|
It's the first Saturday of the month and Kurtan tries to make a pilgrimage to Swindon to buy the new clothes of the season. However, engineering works on the bus route and a lack of public transport disrupt his plans. Meanwhile, Kerry helps the vicar run the local football team. | |||||
| 4 | "The Vicar's Son"[28] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 19 March 2018 | |
|
When the vicar's son Jacob returns to the village, he begins to hang out with Kurtan, who soon realises that something is decidedly wrong with him. Meanwhile, filling in for the vicar on tea-time visits, Kerry comes to like them much more than she expected. | |||||
| 5 | "Steam Fair"[29] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper, Charlie Cooper, Tom George, and Simon Mayhew-Archer | 26 March 2018 | |
|
It is Kerry's birthday, but due to disruptions in their plans, they are unable to make it to the local steam fair and end up getting lost in the woods. | |||||
| 6 | "Family Loyalties"[30] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 2 April 2018 | |
|
Kurtan has a job at a bowls club but takes it too seriously. Kerry is excited to be helping her father in his business, which turns out to be receiving stolen goods and hiding them in a garage. | |||||
Special (2018)
[edit]| Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Aftermath"[31] | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper, Charlie Cooper, Tom George, and Simon Mayhew-Archer | 10 October 2018 | |
|
With seven months having passed since Kerry and Martin were arrested thanks to their “business work”, the village is having to adapt to reality again. Now Martin is in prison, Kerry is doing anything to establish connections with his past, while Kurtan begins to learn some harsh truths about why he no longer works at the bowls club. | ||||
Series 3 (2020)
[edit]| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "A Letter from Slugs" | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 17 February 2020 | |
|
Michael 'Slugs' Slugett dies and leaves behind a letter to Kurtan, which reveals that in 2007, Kerry broke a bed and blamed it on Kurtan. Kerry gets a job at the local dump. | |||||
| 2 | "Driving Lesson" | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 24 February 2020 | |
|
Kurtan is learning to drive and the vicar runs some errands for people in the village. Len Clifton is taken into hospital for dehydration after he is found in a bush. | |||||
| 3 | "Cynthia" | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 2 March 2020 | |
|
Kerry's dad Martin returns, but she finds that her parents living together again is not what she wanted. She spots him cheating, and he is thrown out. The vicar and Kurtan assist Len with errands. | |||||
| 4 | "Kurtan's Half Brother" | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 9 March 2020 | |
|
Kurtan learns that Ray, his half-brother, has died. Kerry joins the vicar’s book club which is later spoiled by Big Mandy and her storytelling. | |||||
| 5 | "The Station" | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 16 March 2020 | |
|
While the vicar is in Bristol, Kerry takes care of the parish chickens, and Kurtan helps with the town problems. Kerry leaves their cage open and they are killed by a fox, while Kurtan becomes impatient with the residents. | |||||
| 6 | "Harvest" | Tom George | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | 23 March 2020 | |
|
The vicar promotes Kerry to the leader of the church harvest, while Kurtan prepares to move into a new flat. The vicar decides to leave to run a parish in Bristol, and Kerry and Kurtan bid an emotional goodbye to him. | |||||
Reception
[edit]This Country received positive reviews from critics. Stuart Heritage, for The Guardian, described it as a "perfectly observed" comedy, and wrote: "I found myself rewinding entire scenes because I was too busy howling with laughter to hear what was going on."[2] Sean O'Grady, for The Independent, wrote: "It isn't very often that I am able to recommend something because it made me weep tears of laughter, but I am happy and heartened to say that the latest BBC mockumentary, This Country, is sublime enough to have lifted my spirits heavenwards... [It has] an uneasily well-observed quality that raises the comedic genre almost to an art form." Rupert Hawksley, for The Daily Telegraph, wrote: "It is, by some distance, the funniest thing on television at the moment."[32] Mike McCahill, for Reader's Digest, described the programme as an "increasingly cherishable mockumentary" and essential viewing, observing that "[the] Coopers have created an entire universe in a handful of episodes."[33] Arts critic Bruce Dessau concluded: "It might have well-used stylistic elements of both The Office and People Just Do Nothing about it, but it is sharply-written and deftly performed [and] stays just on the right side of cliché. And most importantly both Kerry and Lee are richly comic."[34]
Awards
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Royal Television Society Awards | Scripted Comedy | This Country | Won | [35] |
| Comedy Performance | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | Won | |||
| Breakthrough Award | Nominated | ||||
| Writer: Comedy | Won | ||||
| British Academy Television Awards | Best Scripted Comedy | This Country | Won | [36] | |
| Best Female Comedy Performance | Daisy May Cooper | Won | |||
| British Academy Television Craft Awards | Best Writer: Comedy | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | Nominated | [37] | |
| Best Breakthrough Talent | Won | ||||
| 2019 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Female Comedy Performance | Daisy May Cooper | Nominated | [38] |
| British Academy Television Craft Awards | Best Writer: Comedy | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | Won | [38] | |
| Royal Television Society Awards | Comedy Performance: Female | Daisy May Cooper | Nominated | [39] | |
| 2020 | Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards | Director - Comedy Drama / Situation Comedy | Tom George | Nominated | [40] |
| 2021 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Scripted Comedy | This Country | Nominated | [41] |
| Best Female Comedy Performance | Daisy May Cooper | Nominated | |||
| Best Male Comedy Performance | Charlie Cooper | Won | |||
| British Academy Television Craft Awards | Best Writer: Comedy | Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper | Nominated | [42] | |
| Royal Television Society Awards | Comedy Performance: Male | Paul Chahidi | Nominated | [43] |
Home video releases
[edit]All three series of This Country and the Aftermath Special have been released in Regions 2 both individually and in box sets.
| DVD Title | Discs | Year | Ep. No. | DVD releases | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||||||
| Complete Series 1–2 | 2 | 2017–2018 | 12 | 22 October 2018[44] | ||||
| Complete Series 3 | 1 | 2020 | 7 | 30 March 2020[45] | Includes the Aftermath Special | |||
| Complete Series 1–3 | 3 | 2017–2020 | 19 | 30 March 2020[46] | Includes the Aftermath Special | |||
Adaptation
[edit]An American version of the series was announced by Fox. On 30 January 2020, it was announced that the production had been given a pilot order.[47] On 24 February 2020, Seann William Scott was cast in main role for the pilot.[48] On 4 March 2020, Chelsea Holmes, Sam Straley, Taylor Ortega and Krystal Smith were cast in main roles for the pilot.[49] On 10 July 2020, Aya Cash and Justin Linville were cast in main roles for the pilot.[50] On 30 October 2020, it was announced that the production had been given a series order and is scheduled for premiere in the 2021–22 television season. The series will be a co-production between Lionsgate Television, Fox Entertainment, Feigco Entertainment and BBC Studios with Jenny Bicks as writer and executive producer and Paul Feig as director and executive producer.[51] On 4 December 2020, Desmin Borges joined the cast in recurring role.[52] On 30 December 2020, Jason MacDonald joined the cast in a recurring role.[53] On 17 May 2021, it was announced that the series title had been changed from This Country to Welcome to Flatch.[54]
Books
[edit]On 3 October 2019, an official hardback book was released, entitled This Is This Country: The official book of the BAFTA award-winning show, published by Trapeze Books.[55][56]
References
[edit]- ^ Mutevelian, Sophie (5 February 2017). "Pick of the day: This Country". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ a b Heritage, Stuart (22 February 2017). "This Country: perfect, horrifying TV for anyone who grew up in a village". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ a b c Merrifield, Ryan (17 February 2017). "Cirencester siblings Daisy and Charlie Cooper talk about their new BBC Three show This Country". Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ O'Grady, Sean (3 February 2017). "TV preview: This Country". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ Hawksley, Rupert (17 February 2020). "This Country's vicar Paul Chahidi: 'I'm going to give Andrew Scott a run for his money as a sexy priest'". The iPaper. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "This Country's Paul Cooper based Martin Mucklowe on serial killer Fred West". Yahoo News. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Doran, Sarah. "This Country Cooper family tree: how are the cast related in real life? | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Behind the Kurtan". The Cotswolds Gentleman. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ Richardson, Jay (25 January 2017). "Country cousins". Chortle. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ Doran, Sarah. "This Country Cooper family tree: how are the cast related in real life? | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Jones, Alice (8 March 2017). "This Country's Daisy May and Charlie Cooper: 'It's basically our experience of growing up in the Cotswolds'". i News. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ^ Centre, Media (2 April 2020). "This Country bows out with over 52 million BBC iPlayer requests". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
- ^ "'It's rubbish': What do the residents of Northleach think of This Country? We went to find out". Gloucestershire Live. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Spotting selfies at the filming locations of BBC's This Country". Cotswold Life. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "This Country: A day on the set of the hit BBC Three series". Independent.co.uk. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
- ^ a b "This Country gets a third series and a one-off special". Radio Times.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "'I'm dying,' This Country star reveals : News 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk.
- ^ "One of the stars of BBC comedy This Country, Michael Sleggs, has died aged 33". BBC. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ "This Country". BBC. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 1, Scarecrow". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 1, Mandy". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 1, Oven Space". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 1, King of the Nerds". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 1, Peeping Tom". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 1, GNVQ". BBC.
- ^ a b "BBC Three - This Country, Series 2, Random Acts of Kindness". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 2, Minor Injuries". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 2, The Vicar's Son". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 2, Steam Fair". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, Series 2, Family Loyalties". BBC.
- ^ "BBC Three - This Country, The Aftermath". BBC.
- ^ Hawksley, Rupert (13 March 2017). "Is BBC Three 'mockumentary' This Country the best British comedy since The Office?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- ^ McCahill, Mike (March 2017). "5 TV shows you should be watching this month". Reader's Digest. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ Dessau, Bruce (February 2017). "Review: This Country, Episode 2, BBC Three (And BBC One)". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ^ Smith, Neil (21 March 2018). "This Country wins big at RTS awards". BBC News.
- ^ "2018 Virgin TV BAFTA Television Awards Nominations Announced". BAFTA. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for the British Academy Television Craft Awards in 2018". Bafta. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ a b "BAFTA Television 2019". Bafta. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2018 in partnership with Audio Network". Royal Television Society. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ "CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2020". Royal Television Society. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Bafta TV Awards 2021: Winners and nominees in full". BBC News. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "BAFTA TV 2021: The Winners and Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2021". Royal Television Society. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ "This Country Series 1 & 2 [DVD] [2018]". Amazon.co.uk. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "This Country Series 3 [DVD] [2020]". Amazon.co.uk. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "This Country - The Complete Collection [DVD] [2020]". Amazon.co.uk. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ White, Peter (30 January 2020). "'This Country' Comedy From Jenny Bicks & Paul Feig Inspired By BBC Series Gets Fox Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (24 February 2020). "Seann William Scott To Star In Fox Comedy Pilot 'This Country'". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ "'This Country': Chelsea Holmes & Sam Straley To Star, Taylor Ortega & Krystal Smith Also Cast In Fox Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. 4 March 2020.
- ^ "'This Country': Aya Cash & Justin Linville Join Fox Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. 10 July 2020.
- ^ White, Peter (30 October 2020). "'This Country': Jenny Bicks & Paul Feig's Remake Of BBC Comedy Goes To Series At Fox, Net's First Pickup Of 2021/22 Season". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ "'This Country': Desmin Borges To Recur In Fox Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. 4 December 2020.
- ^ "'This Country': Jason MacDonald To Recur In Fox Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. 30 December 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (17 May 2021). "Fox 2021-22 Schedule: 2 New Dramas, Morris Chestnut Tuesday In Fall, '9-1-1: Lone Star' Held For Midseason". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ Mucklowe, Kurtan; Mucklowe, Kerry (3 October 2019). This Is This Country: The official book of the BAFTA award-winning show. Trapeze Books. ISBN 978-1409191117.
- ^ This Is This Country: The official book of the BAFTA award-winning show. 3 October 2019. ASIN 1409191117.
External links
[edit]- This Country at BBC Online
- "Daisy & Charlie Cooper talk about their new BBC Three mockumentary "This Country" (Extended Version)". BBC Points West. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 – via YouTube.
- This Country at IMDb
- This Country at British Comedy Guide
- A Board Game for Nit Wits inspired by This Country
This Country
View on GrokipediaPremise and format
Premise
This Country is a mockumentary series that centers on the daily lives of cousins Kerry Mucklowe and Lee "Kurtan" Mucklowe as they contend with the ennui and idiosyncrasies of existence in a small, fictional Cotswolds village.[2] The show depicts Kerry, a frequently unemployed young woman entangled in local scandals and harboring aspirations to leave the stifling rural environment for greater opportunities, alongside Kurtan, her steadfast cousin with a penchant for minor mischief and a protective demeanor toward family.[6] [7] Central themes include the isolation of rural Britain, fraught family relationships, petty community rivalries, and satirical insights into countryside customs, all conveyed through observational humor rooted in the creators' upbringing in Gloucestershire.[8] [9] The setting highlights ordinary village happenings, such as church fetes and pub socials, underscoring the blend of tedium and tight-knit bonds in small-town England.[10] The mockumentary format presents these elements as if captured by a film crew documenting the cousins' unremarkable yet poignant routines.[11]Mockumentary style
This Country employs a mockumentary format that draws inspiration from earlier British comedies like The Office and People Just Do Nothing, utilizing handheld camera work to simulate a documentary crew capturing unscripted rural life.[12] This approach incorporates direct-to-camera interviews, often serving as "talking heads" segments where characters like Kerry and Kurtan break the fourth wall to share their inner thoughts and frustrations, enhancing the observational humor centered on the mundane absurdities of village existence.[6] The style emphasizes authenticity through on-location shooting in the Cotswolds, which grounds the narrative in a tangible rural setting and amplifies the sense of isolation and familiarity.[6] Key stylistic elements include deadpan delivery and awkward silences that build cringe comedy, allowing viewers to vicariously experience the discomfort of social faux pas and trivial conflicts.[12] Dialogue often feels improvised and laced with regional Cotswolds accents, contributing to a naturalistic sound design that avoids exaggerated effects in favor of ambient village noises and off-screen interactions, such as sudden shouts or environmental sounds.[6] These techniques foster subtle humor derived from escalating absurd situations, where everyday events spiral into comically awkward territory without overt punchlines. Episodes typically run for approximately 25 minutes and follow a non-linear structure, weaving together observational scenes with vox pops—short, impromptu interviews—from various villagers that provide context and comic relief.[13] This format allows for a patchwork storytelling method, where interviews retroactively explain or comment on the action, heightening the mockumentary's fly-on-the-wall illusion while underscoring the boredom and eccentricities of rural life.[6]Cast and characters
Main characters
Kerry Mucklowe is the central protagonist of This Country, portrayed by Daisy May Cooper, and depicted as a young woman in her late twenties living in a rural Cotswolds village, prone to paranoia, impulsive failed schemes, and strained family relationships, particularly with her father Martin.[14] Throughout the series, Kerry's arc evolves from aimless escapades and self-sabotage in Series 1 to tentative steps toward independence and self-reflection by Series 3, including pursuing qualifications and mending familial bonds.[15][16] Lee "Kurtan" Mucklowe, Kerry's cousin and steadfast companion, is played by Charlie Cooper and characterized by his unwavering loyalty to family, mischievous pranks, and a series of comical mishaps in work and social endeavors, such as awkward job stints and dating blunders.[2] His close bond with Kerry often leads to collaborative schemes, while interactions with uncle Martin highlight his role as the family's comic relief and occasional voice of reason.[17] Martin Mucklowe functions as a paternal figure to Kerry and uncle to Kurtan, portrayed by Paul Cooper as a no-nonsense builder with a gruff exterior masking underlying care, frequently clashing with Kerry over her lifestyle choices.[17] The portrayals of Kerry and Kurtan benefit from the authentic sibling chemistry between Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, real-life brother and sister, whose natural rapport and improvisation during scenes—especially in early episodes—infuse the characters with genuine awkwardness and humor.[18][19]Recurring and guest characters
The recurring characters in This Country flesh out the fictional Cotswolds village, emphasizing the quirky, interconnected nature of rural social life through satirical portrayals of everyday eccentrics and authority figures. Michael Sleggs, a real-life friend of creators Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper from Cirencester, played Michael "Slugs" Slugett across the first two series as the soft-spoken village oddball dealing with terminal cancer, whose gentle demeanor and tragic backstory provided emotional depth amid the comedy without overshadowing the central narrative.[20][21] Sleggs' performance, drawn from his own experiences, highlighted themes of resilience in small communities, and the third series opened with a tribute episode titled "A Letter from Slugs" following his death in 2019.[22] Trevor Cooper portrayed Len Clifton, the meddlesome local artisan and parish council member who appears in 11 episodes, often stirring minor conflicts with his self-important gossip and DIY enthusiasms, satirizing the petty power plays in village hierarchies.[23] Paul Chahidi's Reverend Francis Seaton, the bumbling yet earnest vicar featured in 17 episodes, serves as a recurring foil to the protagonists' schemes, embodying the awkward benevolence of rural clergy through his futile attempts at moral guidance and community events.[23] Additionally, Daisy May Cooper provided the voice for Sue Mucklowe, Kerry's unseen but vociferous mother, shouting from off-screen in 16 episodes to underscore domineering family tensions and the invisible pressures of matriarchal control in tight-knit households.[23] Guest characters, often appearing in single episodes, inject episodic humor by amplifying specific subplots tied to village absurdities, such as family secrets or local scandals, while maintaining the show's focus on ensemble satire. Notable one-offs include Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Kerry's frenemy Mandy Harris in series 1, who sparks rivalries over petty social status, and a no-nonsense probation officer in series 2, critiquing bureaucratic intrusions into rural life.[24] A high-profile cameo came in series 3 with an unnamed A-list celebrity as Kurtan's grandmother (credited pseudonymously as Elvira Presley, with her face blurred in the episode), delivering deadpan wisdom in a brief family scene that blended celebrity appeal with authentic generational humor.[25] These supporting figures and guests enhance the mockumentary's world-building by illustrating community interdependencies—nosy neighbors, flawed leaders, and fleeting outsiders—without advancing primary plots, allowing the satire to poke fun at rural insularity through layered, relatable interactions. The casting leaned heavily on local Gloucestershire talent, including non-professional actors like Sleggs, to infuse authenticity, with the Coopers encouraging improvisation during rehearsals to capture unscripted Cotswolds dialects and mannerisms, mirroring real village dynamics observed in their hometown.[10]Production
Development and creation
This Country was created by siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper, who drew heavily from their personal experiences growing up in the rural Cotswolds village of Cirencester to craft the series' premise. The characters Kerry and Kurtan were inspired by real-life individuals from their youth, including troublesome siblings known for their vulnerability beneath a tough exterior, with Kerry partly based on a local girl who crafted snowflake decorations despite her aggressive demeanor.[26] The writing process began when the Coopers, in their twenties, returned home after unsuccessful stints in education—Charlie having dropped out of university and Daisy facing unemployment post-drama school. Living with their parents amid financial hardship, including eviction from their family home and sharing a single broken mattress, they penned early scripts during night cleaning shifts to make ends meet. These autobiographical elements infused the show with authentic depictions of rural poverty and boredom, emphasizing emotional depth in characters to support bold comedic risks. Early development included short YouTube sketches and tasters that captured village life anecdotes.[26][9] An initial pilot produced in collaboration with ITV and NBC in 2014 proved unsuccessful, with the Coopers later describing it as "horrendous" and the characters resembling overly polished figures akin to those in Glee, prompting significant revisions to achieve the grounded mockumentary tone. Undeterred, Daisy May Cooper directly emailed BBC Controller of Comedy Commissioning Shane Allen in 2015 with their pitch, highlighting the show's unique take on overlooked rural British youth. This persistence led to BBC Three greenlighting the project, resulting in the premiere of the first series with six episodes in February 2017.[26][27][28] The success of the debut series prompted BBC Three to commission a second run of six episodes in July 2017, followed by additional series and Christmas specials in subsequent years, allowing the Coopers to expand their exploration of small-town dynamics and personal growth. Creative decisions prioritized realism drawn from their upbringing, such as family tensions and community quirks, ensuring the series evolved organically while maintaining its intimate, affectionate portrayal of Cotswolds life.[29][30][26]Filming and production details
The series was filmed on location primarily in the market town of Northleach, Gloucestershire, and surrounding areas in the Cotswolds, utilizing authentic rural settings to enhance the mockumentary's realism. Production made extensive use of real private homes for the Mucklowe family residence, local pubs like The Wheatsheaf Inn for community scenes, and open fields for outdoor sequences, avoiding constructed sets to capture the everyday texture of village life.[31][32][33] Filming occurred in short, intensive blocks to align with the series' modest scale and seasonal availability in rural Gloucestershire. The first series was shot over three weeks in September 2016, the second during the summer of 2017, and the third from August to October 2019, allowing crews to work efficiently while navigating the logistical demands of remote locations. These timelines facilitated quick turnarounds, with post-production emphasizing the integration of confessional-style interviews through careful editing to preserve the documentary-like flow.[34][35] The production was directed by Tom George across all three series, whose approach prioritized naturalism by encouraging improvisation and minimal intervention during takes to maintain the unscripted feel of the mockumentary format. Producer Simon Mayhew-Archer managed the on-set operations, focusing on streamlined workflows that supported the show's intimate scale.[36][37][38] Backed by BBC Studios Comedy Productions, the series adopted a low-budget, independent production model that emphasized practical location shooting and resource efficiency over high-end effects or studio builds. This approach not only kept costs down but also reinforced the grounded portrayal of rural Britain, with the rural setting presenting inherent logistical hurdles such as access to sites and coordination in spread-out areas.[39]Broadcast and episodes
Broadcast history
This Country premiered on BBC Three on 8 February 2017, with the first series consisting of six episodes airing weekly through March 2017.[40] The second series followed on BBC Three in 2018, also comprising six episodes from February to March, alongside a special titled "The Aftermath" broadcast later that year.[41] Due to its growing popularity, particularly on BBC iPlayer, the third and final series shifted to BBC One in 2020, premiering on 17 February with another six episodes airing weekly.[42] The series began with a niche audience on the then-online-only BBC Three but rapidly expanded, accumulating over 52 million requests on BBC iPlayer across all series and the special, making it one of the channel's biggest comedies since 2016.[43] This viewership surge highlighted its appeal to younger demographics, transitioning from targeted digital broadcasts to broader linear television exposure on BBC One.[43] Internationally, the series gained distribution on streaming platforms in select regions post-2020, including availability on Stan in Australia.[44] This expansion built on its domestic success, allowing global audiences access beyond initial UK broadcasts.Episode list
The series comprises three six-episode series and one standalone special, totaling 19 episodes, with standard runtimes of approximately 23 minutes each.[2][45] All episodes were directed by Tom George and written by Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper.[46][47]Series 1 (2017)
| No. | Title | Air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scarecrow | 8 February 2017 | Kurtan immerses himself in the annual village scarecrow festival, a major community event that highlights local rivalries and divisions. |
| 2 | Mandy | 15 February 2017 | The village buzzes with gossip when Kerry's former school friend Mandy returns after serving time in prison, stirring up old memories and judgments.[48] |
| 3 | Oven Space | 22 February 2017 | Kerry and Kurtan await the prison release of their uncle Steve "Nugget" Nuggins, prompting reflections on family loyalty and perceptions of justice in the village. |
| 4 | King of the Nerds | 1 March 2017 | Kerry attends a village hall talk by a businesswoman running a possible pyramid scheme, while Kurtan makes some new friends.[49] |
| 5 | Peeping Tom | 8 March 2017 | Kerry's father Martin faces village-wide accusations of being a peeping tom, leading to awkward confrontations and defenses from the family.[48] |
| 6 | GNVQ | 15 March 2017 | Kerry and Kurtan contemplate leaving the village behind, weighing their limited opportunities against the familiarity of rural life.[48] |
Special (2018)
| Title | Air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|
| The Aftermath | 13 October 2018 | Eight months after Kerry's involvement in her father Martin's criminal scheme, this special examines the ongoing repercussions, community fallout, and Kerry's dilemma between self-preservation and family loyalty as police scrutiny intensifies.[50][51][52] |
Series 2 (2018)
| No. | Title | Air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Random Acts of Kindness | 26 February 2018 | Kerry embarks on a mission to perform good deeds around the village, but her efforts backfire and create more chaos than goodwill. |
| 2 | Threatening Letters | 5 March 2018 | Anonymous letters cause paranoia in the village, with Kerry and Kurtan investigating potential culprits among their neighbors. |
| 3 | Minor Injuries | 12 March 2018 | A minor accident leads Kerry to the local clinic, where she exaggerates her symptoms and clashes with the overworked staff. |
| 4 | The Vicar's Son | 19 March 2018 | The vicar's son Jacob returns from Bristol, and Kurtan attempts to help him readjust to village life while Kerry pursues her own misguided charitable initiatives.[53] |
| 5 | Steam Fair | 26 March 2018 | The annual steam fair arrives, prompting Kurtan to plan a trip to Swindon for new clothes, but transport issues and family obligations derail his outing. |
| 6 | Family Loyalties | 2 April 2018 | Kurtan finds purpose in a job at the local bowls club, but Kerry's latest scheme pulls him into family drama, testing Mucklowe loyalties.[54] |
Series 3 (2020)
| No. | Title | Air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Letter from Slugs | 17 February 2020 | An unusual complaint about slugs leads Kerry and Kurtan into a bizarre village dispute, highlighting petty local grievances. |
| 2 | Driving Lesson | 24 February 2020 | Kerry attempts to pass her driving test with Kurtan's reluctant help, resulting in tense lessons and revelations about their sibling-like dynamic. |
| 3 | Cynthia | 2 March 2020 | The return of infamous family relative Cynthia forces Kerry to reassess her living situation, while the vicar and Kurtan tackle the church's social media efforts.[55] |
| 4 | Kurtan's Half-Brother | 9 March 2020 | Kurtan grapples with sad news about a relative, and Kerry dives into a local book club that exposes her to new social awkwardness.[55] |
| 5 | The Station | 16 March 2020 | Kerry and Kurtan visit the train station to welcome the vicar home from a trip to Bristol, while Kerry tries to impress a potential employer.[55] |
| 6 | Harvest | 23 March 2020 | The annual harvest festival brings the village together, but one resident's announcement has unexpected emotional consequences for the community.[56] |
