Year of the Rabbit

This ribald romp has the reassuring benefit of a terrific cast who know what they are doing. Matt Berry is at the helm and it is very difficult to imagine anyone else in the role of "high functioning fried breakfast" Inspector Rabbitt. Susan Wokoma and Freddie Fox as Rabbitt's police colleagues are wonderful, as is Alun Armstrong as their Guv'nor and Mabel's Dad.

I would love to see much more of David Dawson's fantastically arch Elephant Man and the sublime Ann Mitchell (of blessed 1980's Widows memory).

People who are unable to cope with the odd rude word (ok, lots of rude words) should perhaps look elsewhere.

I do hope Year of the Rabbitt will be recommissioned by Channel 4 and that it will not suffer the fate of BBC Victorian medical comedy Quacks, which was inexplicably pulled after only one series.

Detective Inspector Eli Rabbit is a policeman in Victorian era London. He's a hard-bitten, tough-as-nails veteran whose seen just about everything. He's given a new partner, a young, inexperienced and naïve Sergeant, Wilbur Strauss. Together they investigate crimes, often in the sleaziest parts of the city.

I watched this because it stars Matt Berry (The IT Crowd, What We Do In The Shadows, Toast of London, amongst others) as Rabbit. He is well cast for the role and puts in a decent performance and the episodes are reasonably funny. The Victorian setting contrasted with some modern vernacular and sensibilities makes for some great gags.

Berry is upstaged, however, by Susan Wokoma as Mabel Wisbech: she has the best lines and delivers them perfectly.

However, while good the show is not brilliant, lacking that special something to make it so.

Like Marmite, you will either enjoy this or you'll hate it. It's not perfect. I have watched the first three episodes. It works well as a parody of historical crime dramas, it is surreal and has a good sense of camp. The writing has a wonderful turn of phrase. It is definitely not everyone's jar of London fog, but it's worth a look.

This was much more entertaining than I thought it would be. Could be a hit.

Clever writing, intelligent use of language (obscure, period based and obscenities) are all timed and delivered beautifully. Great acting, uniquely scripted and very well casted. All the characters are perfectly chosen for their roles and do it so very well. I can only think those who don't like this show obviously do not appreciate Matt Berry humour. Loved him in IT Crowd, he was awesome in Action Team and in this one he really shines.

I cannot wait for more of this series. Deserves Nine Stars, Year of the Rabbit is a return to clever British comedy that keeps you engaged with every episode.