Only Child (TV series) explained

Screenplay:Bryce Hart
Director:Al Campbell
Holly Walsh
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:1
Num Episodes:6
Executive Producer:Neil Webster
Producer:Ursula Haworth
Network:BBC Scotland
Last Aired:present

Only Child is a 2024 British comedy sitcom series starring Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh. It was released on BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer on 21 November 2024 and BBC One on 22 November 2024.

Synopsis

Richard Prichard, an actor, returns from London to visit his recently widowed father Ken in his family home in Forres in Moray.[1]

Cast

Production

The six-part series is a Happy Tramp North production. It is written by Bryce Hart and directed by Al Campbell and Holly Walsh. The producer is Ursula Haworth and the executive producer is Neil Webster.[2] [3]

The cast is led by Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh, which McHugh described working closely with Fisher as a "dream come true".[4] [5] McHugh also said the character of Richard is "the closest I have played to myself in terms of a character. I sometimes find him a bit annoying. Although, people might say that about me who know me."[6] The cast includes Forbes Masson, Amy Lennox, Clare Barrett, Robin Laing, Paul Rattray and Jennifer Saunders in a voice role. Themes developed in the series include mortality, ageing, parent-child relationships and intergenerational differences.[7]

The series began filming in Scotland in July 2024.[8] Filming locations including Glasgow, Whitecraigs Railway Station and Barrhead.[9]

Broadcast

It premiered on BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer on 21 November 2024 and on BBC One 22 November 2024.[10]

Reception

Alison Rowat in The Herald praised the humour in the series and said "the best thing about Only Child, however, is the casting… Individually, Fisher and McHugh are class acts. Together, they are a dream ticket. It’s as if they’ve been together for years."[11] Rachel Aroesti in The Guardian also praised the humour saying "I laughed out loud five times during the first three minutes.. Bryce Hart’s script is meticulously dense with gags, delivered with exemplary timing by its two leads. In other words, it’s pretty funny".[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Only Child release date, plot, trailer and cast as new Scottish comedy comes to BBC. Daily Record. 20 November 2024. Mike. Taylor. 20 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Only Child – filming begins on new comedy with Gregor Fisher. CultBox. 20 November 2024. July 3, 2024. Ian. McArdell.
  3. Web site: Only Child. Comedy.co.uk. 21 November 2024.
  4. Web site: Comedian Greg McHugh says playing Gregor Fisher's son in new sitcom 'Only Child' is a dream come true. Daily Record. 20 November 2024. Heather. Greenaway. 13 November 2024.
  5. Web site: Gregor Fisher & Greg McHugh to star in BBC One sitcom Only Child. Comedy.co.uk. 20 November 2024. 5 February 2024. Jay. Richardson.
  6. Web site: Gary: Tank Commander star says new Scottish sitcom role is 'closest I have played to myself'. The Scotsman. Brian. Ferguson. 12 November 2024. 20 November 2024.
  7. Web site: Greg McHugh's guide to new Scots comedy Only Child with Gregor Fisher. Herald Scotland. 20 November 2024. Susan. Swarbrick. 16 November 2024.
  8. Web site: 3 July 2024. Only Child - new BBC comedy series starring Gregor Fisher & Greg McHugh – begins filming in Scotland. Screen Scotland. 20 November 2024.
  9. Web site: Rab C. Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher reveals 'full circle moment' during filming for new BBC comedy series. Glasgow Live. 20 November 2024. Kieran. Webster. 16 November 2024.
  10. Web site: Rab C Nesbitt and Guilt stars unite for new comedy TV series. Glasgow Times. 20 November 2024. Ann. Fotheringham. 12 November 2024.
  11. Web site: New BBC Scotland sitcom is 'quite good' says stunned critic. HeraldScotland. 23 November 2024. 22 November 2024.
  12. Web site: 22 November 2024. The Guardian. Only Child review – this bittersweet comedy is absolutely packed with laughs. 23 November 2024. Rachel. Aroesti.