Peacock (TV series)

Peacock
Screenplay by
Directed byFreddie Waters
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes9
Production
Executive producers
  • Kenton Allen
  • Saurabh Kakkar
  • Matthew Justice
  • Seb Barwell
  • Ben Murray
  • Steve Stamp
  • Stephen Walker
ProducerLara Singer
CinematographyCharlie Goodger
EditorGareth Heal
Production companies
  • Big Talk Studios
  • Bullion Productions
Original release
NetworkBBC Three
Release25 April 2022 (2022-04-25) –
present

Peacock is a British television comedy series starring Allan Mustafa, written by Steve Stamp and Ben Murray. The first series of three episodes aired from 25 April 2022. The second series premiered on 18 June 2024.[1]

Synopsis

Andy Peacock (Mustafa) is a personal trainer who suffers a crisis of confidence when he is passed-up for a promotion at his gym. He sets up a class to encourage body positivity at the gym. [2]

Cast

Production

The series was created by Steve Stamp and Ben Murray, who previously worked together on People Just Do Nothing. The role of Andy Peacock was initially played by Dominic Cooper in a 2018 pilot for Sky One, directed by Stamp and Murray and produced by Big Talk Studios.[3]

Allan Mustafa was announced in the lead role on the project in August 2021, with BBC Comedy commissioning episodes through Big Talk Studios.[4] Stamp said the show had evolved from being about toxic masculinity to include changing modern attitudes.[5] Stamp had recommended Allan Mustafa for the role of Andy Peacock having previously worked together on People Just Do Nothing, as well as the Ben Murray directed Kurrupt FM videos for YouTube.[6]

In May 2023 the series was renewed for a second series of six episodes by the BBC.[7] Shown in June/July 2024, the second series also features Jo Joyner and Kimberley Nixon.[8]

Broadcast

The series was first broadcast in the UK on 25 April 2022 on BBC Three.[9] BBC Three began airing series two on 18 June 2024.[10]

Reception

The series received four stars in The Guardian with the character of Andy Peacock being compared with Alan Partridge and David Brent.[11] Gerard Gilbert in the i felt the comparison with David Brent was appropriate but the main character “lacks Ricky Gervais's towering talent for pathos. Peacock seems more of an irredeemable berk”.[12] The Daily Telegraph mentioned that the “atmosphere in the gym [is] a recognisable blend of right-on accessibility and clenched testosterone” but felt that the “fine supporting cast feel a little short-changed by thin characterisation”.[13]

Accolades

Allan Mustafa won the Best Performance in a Comedy Award at the RTS North West Awards in 2022.[14]

References

  1. ^ Singh, Anita (18 June 2024). "Peacock, BBC Three, series 2 review: you won't pull a muscle laughing at this gym-bro sitcom". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  2. ^ Dale, Harvey (25 April 2022). "Peacock's Allan 'Seapa' Mustafa: 'People are being more open about body image issues'". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Dominic Cooper to star in Sky comedy pilot Peacock". comedy.co.uk. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  4. ^ Richardson, Jay (21 August 2021). "Allan 'Seapa' Mustafa to star in BBC 3 gym comedy Peacock". Comedy.Co.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Gym comedy Peacock returns to BBC Three for full series". Comedy.co.uk. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  6. ^ Craig, David (25 April 2023). "Peacock stars on similarities with their People Just Do Nothing roles". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  7. ^ "BBC renews lots of comedies". Chortle.Co.uk. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  8. ^ "BBC Three Peacock series 2: Full cast and when it's on TV". Oxford Mail. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Peacock". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Peacock: Series 2". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  11. ^ Seale, Jack (25 April 2022). "Peacock review – ready for the new David Brent or Alan Partridge? Look no further". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  12. ^ Gilbert, Gerard (25 April 2022). "Peacock, BBC Three, review: Doesn't come close to People Just Do Nothing". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  13. ^ Tate, Gabriel (25 April 2022). "Peacock, review: gym sitcom skewers the hollow masculinity behind the pecs and the posers". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Allan "Seapa" Mustafa wins Best Performance in a Comedy at the RTS North West Awards 2022". Big Talk. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2023.