Psychoville (2009–2011)
8/10
Psychoville
18 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I never saw The League of Gentlemen, I have only ever seen bits and pieces of it, so I decided I would give the same stars and writers, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, a chance in this new series. Basically the series is set in different parts of England and revolves are five different character story lines: serial killer-obsessed man-child David Sowerbutts (Pemberton) who still lives with his mother Maureen (Shearsmith); embittered one-handed children's entertainer Mr. Jelly (Shearsmith), blind millionaire Oscar Lomax (Pemberton) who collects Beanie Baby stuffed toy animals, midwife Joy Aston (Dawn French) who treats a practise baby doll as if was a real child, and (for the first series) pantomime dwarf Robert Greenspan (Jason Tompkins) in love with his Snow White who has the power of telekinesis. The five characters are connected by a mysterious blackmailer, they are all brought together by a message, and then they find out they were all once in the same institute under the watch of Edwina Kenchington (Eileen Atkins) for their conditions, the second series and Halloween special follow their exploits after as Grace Andrews (Imelda Staunton) tries to bring most of them together as part of a dark conspiracy plot. Also starring Daniel Kaluuya as Tealeaf, Daisy Haggard as Debbie, Lisa Hammond as Kerry, Daniel Ings as Kelvin, Mark Bonnar as Detective Finney, Adrian Scarborough as Mr. Jolly, Miranda's James Holmes as Simon, Christopher Biggins, David Bamber as Robin, Miranda's Dominic Coleman as Colin, EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy as Lorraine, Mark Gatiss as Jason Griffin, Richard Bacon as Interviewer, John Landis as Director, Andi Osho as Registrar and Katherine Parkinson as Fiona. The characters all have their amusing quirks and interesting individual story lines, especially Mr. Jelly and Oscar Lomax, Shearsmith and Pemberton are fantastic playing their numerous, French is almost terrifying in her part, Staunton is creepy as the secret organisation leader and the other supporting cast members do well, the interconnecting things going on work and come together well, it is both dark and funny, a terrific black comedy mystery psychological thriller. Very good!
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