Year of the Rabbit

I'm obsessed. This show has been on my queue for a while and I don't like watching things with one season because if I enjoy them, I'm devastated when they aren't or haven't been renewed. But this show and it's full cast of characters was absolutely brilliant! The stories worked well and the humor was there. It is rare that I write these review unless something is TERRIBLE or ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. This was the latter, it's understandable that Covid cut network budgets but honestly this is one of those shows I would sign each and every petition for because it worked on so many levels. Everyone's performance had me on the floor. I am just going to watch it on an endless loop until Britbox, Hulu or any steamer renews it.

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.

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.

I just binge watched all 6 episodes- and loved it! Humour is subjective- and although there is lots of swearing, it didn't bother me. It was funny enough to carry it. Matt Berry is terrific as always- but everyone involved was good. It was like Bluestone 42 was sent back in time to Jack the Rippers London. Hope it's not too long until their next series and their mission from Queen Victoria. :)

I'm a huge Matt Berry fan anyway but I loved this show, very funny with great characters and all set up for a second season until channel 4 pulled the plug on it. I think this could be one of those series that people didn't really know existed but wouldn't be disappointed once they stumbled across it.

I laughed so much watching this off beat comedy and what they did with the John Merrick (Elephant Man) character was hilarious.

I'll just have to watch it again.