Douglas Is Cancelled

This show is a strange animal, but also somewhat entertaining, thanks in no small part to its brevity. The plot moves quickly and mercilessly, similar to the way the public internet court can pass judgement on someone like Douglas. As with everything written by Steven Moffat, the dialogues take center stage: they are snappy and spirited, often relying on quick repartees to drive the narrative.

The lead cast is excellent across the board, and I could listen to Karen Gillan's soft Scottish accent all day long. Where the show slumps however, is when the secondary players get any screen time. It's hard to believe that Moffat is the creator of such pointless characters as Douglas' unbearable daughter, or his clueless manager, or Nick the comedy writer, whose lifeless sense of humor is certainly meant to be ironic in and of itself, but really only ends up being discordant.

All in all, it's an interesting project and it's topical enough to generate discussions worth having in this day and age. I just wish Moffat had been more judicious when choosing his characters and a little braver when detailing the actual cancelling.

Watched this series in one sitting and it's one of the best. The storyline is stylishly crafted and all brought together in the last 10 minutes to a totally satisfying ending which resonates with the strange times we live in.

Because of Hugh Bonneville's presence comparison with 2012 and W1A are inevitable but this is a straight and serious drama with relatively few injections of humour and those that are tend to be caustic.

The casting is superb as is the script and production and Karen Gillan and Ben Miles shine through in particular but in very different ways. We need more productions like this so well done ITV.

I'll definitely watch it again.

The whole first episodes are a drag, and they are played like a farce. 3/10. I nearly turned it off. And then the last two episodes are great drama and written far better. 9/10. They should have done it as a two or three episode miniseries instead. Some characters are so overdrawn they feel out of place. And for a series that is (in the end) so squarely in women's corner, why write the wife's character basically as a stereotypical nagging jealous wife? It adds nothing to the point the series makes. There are some baffling decisions in this, so it's quite flawed, all in all, but it was a joy to see Gillan being able to show what she's capable of as an actor.

ITV has been in the lead over the BBC in the drama department for a few years now, and Douglas is Cancelled is another feather in their cap.

Like Sir Bates VS Post Office this takes on some very topical (if not historical) issues which feel very relatable.

The premise is a simple one - television presenter Douglas has been overheard making a sexist joke at a relatives wedding. The nature of this goes viral, dividing his fans, co-workers and the country alike. Should he be cancelled in a world where everyone finds absolutely anything offensive?

The cast here are all superb especially Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillian as the two TV presenters, rounded out by a great supporting cast which includes Alex Kingston and always pitch perfect Ben Miles.

The show tackles a number of immediate and contemporary issues, not least of which is trial by social media, which is becoming a bigger and bigger problem these days, just ask Jay Slaters parents.

While this is Sunday night packaged entertainment that never gets on the wrong side of dark drama, its skillful and well made television.

This story grabs you from the off and feels extremely relatable from the get go. I'll be doing a deep dive on it on my Podcast tomorrow, but in the mean time, this comes with my strong recommedation.

Take on those big issue topics ITV, you do it so well.

I nearly turned off a couple of times near the start (and I see that many other viewers did, their loss) but ended up bingeing all four episodes in the early hours. I have great respect for writer Stephen Moffat and it was a great cast. I confess to being a Dr Who fan and this reunion of Karen Gillan and Alex Kingston in the main female roles and as powerful characters from kept me glued to my screen (other Whovians from and in smaller roles also featured). The third episode is scary, and skin crawling, but wait .... the fourth is the key. Keep watching. There's always a twist at the end. Yes, I know that's Russell T Davies, but honestly, do keep watching or you'll always be wondering. 100 stars to Karen Gillan in this.