Two Doors Down (TV series) explained

Genre:Sitcom
Director:Simon Hynd
Opentheme:"
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:7
Num Episodes:47
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Location:Glasgow, Scotland
Camera:Single camera
Runtime:28 minutes
Company:BBC Studios Comedy Productions
BBC Scotland

Two Doors Down is a Scottish television sitcom, produced by BBC Studios.[1] It was created by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp, and stars Arabella Weir, Alex Norton, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson and Elaine C. Smith as neighbours in a suburban street in Scotland. Following a one-off Hogmanay special broadcast nationwide on BBC One in December 2013, a full series was commissioned,[2] and began airing on BBC Two in April 2016, with a second that November.[3] A further five series and four Christmas specials were broadcast over 2017 to 2023,[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] moving to BBC One in late 2022 for its Christmas special,[11] and its seventh series broadcast in late 2023.[12] [13] [14]

Two Doors Down won the Best Comedy award at the 2017 Royal Television Society Scotland Awards, with separate BAFTA Scotland wins for cast and crew over the course of its run.[15] The future of the show was uncertain following the death of co-creator Simon Carlyle in August 2023,[16] until it was revealed that there would be no more episodes of the show, however, there remains the possibility of a stage adaptation. [17] [18]

Premise

The series co-creator, Simon Carlyle, stated: "Two Doors Down is about crazy neighbours. We've all got them. They seem ok, but when you scratch the surface they're a bit nuts." Two Doors Down focuses on neighbours living side by side in a middle-class Glasgow suburb (differentiating it from many previous Glasgow-based sitcoms such as Rab C Nesbitt and Still Game which were set in gritty, downtrodden areas of the city). BBC Scotland describes the characters as "not so happily living together" – the neighbours are constantly visiting uninvited, and overstaying their welcome, at Beth and Eric Baird's house.[19] Beth is often taken advantage of by her neighbours, in particular Colin and Cathy Whyte next door - frequently having to make tea, pour drinks and prepare food, while the remaining characters chat in the living room. The Bairds have a son Ian, who is openly gay and visits his parents accompanied by his boyfriend (Jaz in Series 1-2, Gordon, Series 3-7).

Much of the comedy revolves around the Whytes' game of one-upmanship over the Bairds, with both Colin and Cathy rarely passing any opportunity to boast about their affluent lifestyle to Eric and Beth. Cathy's condescending and toxic behaviour (usually fuelled by alcohol), is barely tolerated by Beth, who struggles to keep her cool for the sake of Eric and Colin's friendship. Meanwhile, fellow neighbour Christine also visits the Bairds to talk about her frequent health problems and life misfortunes. Something of a 'loud-mouth', Christine is prone to making unconsidered remarks that escalate the tensions already building in the room to flashpoint - triggering farcical situations - with Eric usually having to be the voice of reason to calm things down again, although on some occasions it is Eric's patience that snaps first.

Eric and Beth therefore try to avoid their neighbours as much as possible so they can enjoy some peace and quiet in their own home.[19]

Cast and characters

Timeline

Cast MembersSeries
Pilot1234567
Alex Norton as Eric Bairdcolspan="8"
Arabella Weir as Beth Bairdcolspan="8"
Jonathan Watson as Colin Whytecolspan="8"
Doon Mackichan as Cathy Whytecolspan="1"
Sharon Rooney as Sophie O'Nealcolspan="5"
Elaine C. Smith as Christine O'Nealcolspan="7"
Jamie Quinn as Ian Bairdcolspan="7"
Harki Bhambra as Jazcolspan="5"
Kieran Hodgson as Gordoncolspan="5"
nowrap Graeme 'Grado' Stevely as Alan Edgarcolspan="4"
Joy McAvoy as Michelle Young (later Edgar)colspan="4"
Siobhan Redmond as Anne-Marie McInroy
Guest Appearances
Daniela Nardini as Caroline Stewartcolspan="7"
Greg McHugh as Tony Pattersoncolspan="7"
James Young as Angus Bairdcolspan="7"
Kevin Guthrie as Ian Bairdcolspan="7"
Maurice Roëves as Willie Whytecolspan="5"
Gemma McElhinney as Heathercolspan="3"
Alexander Kirk as Graham
Maggie O'Neill as Sandra
Sophie Leigh Stone as Louisecolspan="1"
Martin McCormick as Michaelcolspan="2"
Divian Ladwa as Iqbalcolspan="2"
Ambreen Razia as Ashcolspan="2"
Julie Graham as Gailcolspan="2"
Kevin Harvey as Andycolspan="2"
Jemma Moore as Lincolspan="1"
Hannah Jarrett-Scott as Morvencolspan="1"
Mark Prendergast as Darren McNaughton

Episodes

Series 5 (2021–22)

Plans for a fifth series were formally announced in mid-2020,[5] with filming originally set to start at that time delayed until March 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.[6] [7] [20] [21] Filming was subsequently interrupted by Joy McAvoy giving birth, and as a result was only completed on two episodes and the Christmas special.[22] Filming resumed in February 2022.[23]

The series resumed on 12 July 2022; the final three episodes of the series were made available on iPlayer on that date following the linear broadcast of "Brother Michael".[24] [25] [26] [27] In order to air the entire series in one run, the first two episodes were repeated (out-of-order) following the linear premiere of the last four episodes of the series.[28]

Series 6 (2022)

A sixth series was indirectly mentioned in the BBC's Annual Plan, published in March 2022,[8] reported by cast members in July 2022 as table reads took place,[9] and officially confirmed by the BBC in August 2022. The series consists of six episodes and a Christmas special.[10] Doon Mackichan and her character Cathy no longer appears; she "has left [Colin] and now lives abroad", with plots for the series centring around the fact he "can't help oversharing personal details" about it. Actress Siobhan Redmond joined the cast as a new regular character, Anne Marie.[10]

Following the broadcast of the first episode, the remaining episodes of the series (except the Christmas special) were made available on BBC iPlayer. The Christmas special, like the show's original pilot, aired on BBC One instead of BBC Two.[11]

Series 7 (2023)

Recommission for a seventh series was confirmed by Elaine C. Smith in January,[12] but not by the BBC until February. The series comprises six episodes, was filmed in summer 2023, and broadcast on BBC One in autumn 2023.[13]

Filming began in mid-June,[29] [30] and it was confirmed that Doon Mackichan would reprise her role as Cathy after being absent from the show for the sixth series.[31]

All episodes were made available on BBC iPlayer on 24 November 2023, prior to their broadcast.[32]

Further series and projects

In August 2023, it was reported that an eighth series of the show is "expected" in 2024, with the possibility of a stage show based on the show in the works.[18] It was unknown if those plans were affected by the death of co-writer Carlyle that month.

On 23 December 2023 - the day the final episode of the seventh series was broadcast - Doon Mackichan wrote on Instagram that the show was "ending for now".[33]

In August 2024, it was announced by Grado, who played Alan, that there would be no more episodes of the show. [34] [35]

Production

The pilot episode was shot with all the crew and cast in a "cramped, medium-sized living room". After the pilot was deemed successful, filming was moved to purpose-built sets in Dumbarton. Filming for the first series took place in the late summer and autumn of 2015.[36] [37]

Exterior scenes were filmed in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire; these were moved to Avonbrae Crescent in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, from series 4.[38]

Location filming for series 2 included Prestwick Airport and a local supermarket.[39]

For the 2020 Christmas special, COVID-19 restrictions prompted changes to production, such as the entire cast and certain members of the crew isolating for two days prior to filming and doing so throughout the five-day shoot.[40] [41] In episodes shot after the COVID-19 pandemic, Elaine C. Smith said that her weight loss during the lockdowns meant that for her role as Christine she now had to wear "a fat suit and a wig with no eyebrows".[42]

On 9 August 2023, the death of Simon Carlyle, the show's co-creator and co-writer, aged 48, was announced.[43]

Critical reception

Two Doors Downs initially mixed reception has grown more positive over the course of the show.

Writing for The Guardian, Ben Arnold said the first episode of the series was "a mundane set-up, not helped by a woeful lack of laughs,"[44] sentiments he repeated upon reviewing the start of the second series.[45] The Arts Desk wrote that the series "owes an awful lot to both Abigail’s Party and The Royle Family, as well as socially awkward characters from any number of sketch shows, with equally broadly defined characters – only without the bits that make you laugh out loud."[46] Writing for Radio Times, David Butcher said "Sometimes Two Doors Down is so uneventful it almost vanishes" but called it a "nicely sour-edged sitcom".[47] Conversely, The Guardians Zoe Williams said, at the time of the first series, "this endearing ensemble BBC Comedy about a sort of Scottish neighbours has something-for-everyone humour,"[48] with The Observers Euan Ferguson writing, of the second series, that "[it] has it all. Wit, delight, long awkward silences, burps, bacon-farts."[49]

A review of the series 3 opener by the is Sarah Hughes noticed the "nice, dry one liners (most of them delivered by the estimable Elaine C Smith) and an expert ensemble cast, who manage to make you if not quite laugh out loud then at least gently smile in recognition,"[50] shared by Chris Harvey of The Telegraph in his review, opining "Not all of the material was funny, but the acting carried it."[51] With regards to series 4, The Heralds Alison Rowat commented that "the jokes ... are easier to see coming than before, but by this stage in the game the comedy is coming more from the characters than the situation".[52]

Critical reaction to the 2020 special was overwhelmingly positive, with The Telegraphs Anita Singh calling it "one of the unsung gems of the festive season", saying it "takes a well-worn scenario ... and gives it some bite",[53] and The Guardian's Rebecca Nicholson lauding praise on the cast, while noting that "for those of us missing family gatherings this year, this is an accurate re-enactment of some of its most awkward corners".[54]

The series 5 opener received mixed reviews. Benji Wilson from The Telegraph, in a two-star review, claimed "[t]he storylines are so formulaic you're left wondering if this or that plot has already happened in the same episode, let alone in some other sitcom," but opined "[w]hat saves [the show] from the realms of utter dreck is the performances, which are the definition of making the best of a bad situation".[55] The is Ed Power awarded four stars, admitting the episode "coasted along on a script that was gently droll rather than madly hilarious" yet "care was taken not to look down on the characters or suggest suburban life was some sort of beige hell,"[56] while, in a three-star review, The Timess Carol Midgley considered it "wasn't the funniest episode [she had] seen, but the writing is always tight and sharp" with "spot-on observations about the banal truths of normal life" and singled out Doon Mackichan and Elaine C. Smith as "consistently the funniest performers".[57] The Christmas special's reviews skewed positive; The Telegraphs three-star review from Michael Hogan said that while "[the show] won't win any awards for originality", the episode was "a wryly witty treat which captured the claustrophobic domesticity of Christmas" with "its endearing warmth and estimable ensemble cast",[58] with a four-star review from Radio Timess Huw Fullerton observing that "[t]he joy of Two Doors Down is that you can more or less predict what comes next [...] but the way the familiar beats develop is still laugh-out-loud funny, believable and even (in certain moments) a little bit festive," concluding it was "simple but well-observed character comedy".[59]

The opening episode of series six had a mixed reaction, particularly regarding the loss of the character of Cathy. Benji Wilson, in a two-star review for The Telegraph, saying "Doon Mackichan was the funniest thing in Two Doors Down" and that "without her it lagged horribly", also opining that it would be "fine to remove her for a single episode in which her absence remains the main story, but for the balance of the show – for the jokes, frankly – she needs replacing, fast."[60] Gerald Gilbert's three-star review for the i was less critical, and approved of Cathy's removal, stating that the character "regularly dominated a comedy that works better on more understated rhythms". Gilbert went on to praise the writing, saying a strength of it was that "it touches on the uncomfortable truth that many of us barely tolerate our supposed friends and neighbours", and "the gags are generally well-worked ... and expertly delivered".[61] Alison Rowat, in The Herald, awarded the episode four stars, commenting that "[w]hen it comes to verbal riffs, writers Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp continue to be the closest thing Scotland has to Victoria Wood", and that a "superb cast take care of the rest", concluding that the show "is going to be just fine without ... what was her name again?"[62]

Home media

All series and episodes of Two Doors Down have been made available on DVD.

DVD titleNo. of discsSpecial featuresNo. of episodesRelease date
Series 12Includes 2013 pilot616 May 2016
Series 21Outtakes, Quick-fire questions623 January 2017
Series 316 (+ 2017 Christmas special)19 March 2018
Series 1-34As above18 (+ original pilot and 2017 Christmas special)1 October 2018
Series 4164 March 2019
Series 526 (+ 2020 and 2021 Christmas specials)8 August 2022
Series 616 (+ 2022 Christmas special)16 January 2023[63]
Series 7168 January 2024[64]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hit comedy Two Doors Down is back after winning fans on both sides of the Border. Spowart. Nan. 28 March 2016. thenational.scot. The National. 27 May 2016.
  2. Web site: English . Paul . Scottish TV comedy Two Doors Down, filmed as a one-off pilot, is to be made into a series next year . Daily Record . 28 December 2014 . 30 December 2020.
  3. Web site: BBC Two 'plans second series for Two Doors Down' after ratings success. Express. 19 April 2016 . 6 June 2016.
  4. Web site: Two Doors Down to return with cast changes. British Comedy. Guide. . 19 October 2017. 8 March 2018.
  5. Web site: Two Doors Down to return for Series 5 . British Comedy Guide . June 2020 . 28 December 2020.
  6. Web site: Interview: Jonathan Watson on the last ever Only an Excuse?. The Scotsman . 28 December 2020.
  7. Web site: Arabella Weir confirms shooting for new series of Two Doors Down to start soon . Daily Record . Rick . Fulton . 26 August 2020 . 28 December 2020.
  8. BBC . March 2022 . BBC ANNUAL PLAN 2022/23 . 36 . 6 July 2022 . In comedy, Two Doors Down returns with two series broadcasting this year.
  9. Web site: Richardson . Jay . Two Doors Down returning for sixth series and Christmas special . British Comedy Guide . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022.
  10. Web site: Merry and Bright! BBC Studios' Two Doors Down confirmed for 6th series and Christmas special in 2022 . BBC Media Centre . 17 August 2022 . 17 August 2022.
  11. Web site: BBC Two - Two Doors Down, 2022 Christmas Special . BBC Programmes . 28 November 2022.
  12. Web site: Smith . Paul T . Elaine C. Smith tells fans Two Doors Down will return for new series . The Daily Record . 7 February 2023 . 31 January 2023.
  13. Web site: Two Doors Down commissioned for seventh series and will move next door to BBC One . BBC Media Centre . 21 February 2023 . 21 February 2023.
  14. Web site: BBC Two - Two Doors Down, Series 7, Episode 1 . BBC Programmes . 6 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106225354/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001sn8n . 6 November 2023.
  15. Web site: Two Doors Down - Awards . IMDb . 29 December 2020.
  16. News: 2023-08-10 . Two Doors Down creator Simon Carlyle dies aged 48 . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-08-12.
  17. Web site: 'There won't be another Two Doors Down' as Grado pays touching tribute to creator Simon Carlyle . Glasgow Live . 13 August 2024 . 9 August 2024.
  18. Web site: Kieran Hodgson: From Two Doors Down to the Edinburgh Fringe . BBC News . 18 August 2023 . 16 August 2023.
  19. Web site: BBC Scotland – Why Two Doors Down is Britain's best-kept sitcom secret. BBC. 8 March 2018.
  20. Web site: Rab C Nesbitt and Two Doors Down star Elaine C Smith recalls her days teaching drama in Edinburgh ahead of new play at the Lyceum. Liam. Rudden. 20 February 2020. Edinburgh Evening News. 5 March 2020.
  21. Web site: BBCScotlandComms - "️ What a Joy! Filming is underway on a new series of #TwoDoorsDown Catch Michelle (Joy McAvoy) and Alan (Graeme Stevely aka @gradowrestling) and the rest of TDD cast back on screen later this year " . Twitter . 4 June 2021.
  22. Web site: Fotheringham that . Ann . Two Doors Down: Actor Alex Norton talks about the new series . The National . 4 December 2021 . 6 December 2021.
  23. McAvoy . Joy . joyjoymcavoy . CZzht_WtAbH . 10 February 2022 . This past week has been a lot of fun!! We finally got back into the studio to film the wee bits and pieces of episodes needed to complete series 5 of Two Doors Down. . 31 March 2022 .
  24. Web site: Two Doors Down - Brother Michael . BBC Programmes . 2 July 2022.
  25. Web site: Two Doors Down - Girls' Night . BBC Programmes . 6 July 2022.
  26. Web site: Two Doors Down - Doughnuts . BBC Programmes . 15 July 2022.
  27. Web site: Two Doors Down - Amalfi Friends . BBC Programmes . 20 July 2022.
  28. Web site: Two Doors Down - Beth's Flu . BBC Programmes . 1 August 2022.
  29. Web site: Mitchell . Nicole . Filming begins for seventh series of BBC comedy Two Doors Down . Glasgow Times . 16 June 2023 . 13 June 2023.
  30. Web site: Buchan . Sophie . BBC's Two Doors Down series 7 begins filming begins as Elaine C Smith tells fans 'we're back' . GlasgowLive . 16 June 2023 . 13 June 2023.
  31. Web site: Doon Mackichan returns to Two Doors Down . BBC Media Centre . 16 June 2023 . 16 June 2023.
  32. Web site: What's new to watch on BBC iPlayer? . BBC Media Centre . 19 November 2023 . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119235525/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/whats-new-to-watch-on-bbc-iplayer . 19 November 2023.
  33. Mackichan . Doon . Doon Mackichan . doonmackichanofficial . C1NFIC8v6Kg . 23 December 2023 . Sad to see Two Doors Down ending for now due to the tragic death of our great writer Simon Carlyle. [...]. 24 December 2023 .
  34. Web site: 'There won't be another Two Doors Down' as Grado pays touching tribute to creator Simon Carlyle . Glasgow Live . 13 August 2024 . 9 August 2024.
  35. Web site: Kieran Hodgson: From Two Doors Down to the Edinburgh Fringe . BBC News . 18 August 2023 . 16 August 2023.
  36. Web site: Two Doors Down welcomes new cast members as filming begins . BBC Media Centre . 30 December 2020.
  37. Web site: Lots to laugh about - bumper collection of comedy from BBC Scotland . BBC Media Centre . 30 December 2020.
  38. Web site: Bartyneck . Shirley . Popular BBC series Two Doors Down films in Hamilton . Daily Record . 18 January 2019 . 30 December 2020.
  39. Web site: Smith . Kenny . BBC comedy film crew transforms Prestwick Airport to shoot new series . Daily Record . 17 August 2016 . 30 December 2020.
  40. Web site: Swarbrick . Susan . Two Doors Down Christmas special: Jonathan Watson and Doon Mackichan . The Herald . 19 December 2020 . 30 December 2020.
  41. Web site: Scougall . Murray . Big interview: Two Door's Doon [sic] star Doon Mackichan takes the plunge to banish the winter blues with a little festive fun ]. The Sunday Post . 30 December 2020.
  42. Web site: Elaine C Smith on Paul O'Grady, Two Doors Down and her Corrie dream . STV News . 16 June 2023 . 27 May 2023.
  43. Web site: Lawes . Ruth . Two Doors Down writer and creator Simon Carlyle dies as BBC leads tributes . Metro . 9 August 2023 . 9 August 2023.
  44. News: Friday's best TV: Easter 1916: The Enemy Files, Billy Connolly's Tracks Across America and Boomers . The Guardian . April 2016 . 25 November 2016 . Mueller . Andrew . Robinson . John . Verdier . Hannah . Arnold . Ben .
  45. News: Monday's best TV: The Last Miners; Back in Time for Brixton; Our Guy in China . The Guardian . 21 November 2016 . 25 November 2016 . Gibbings-Jones . Mark . Robinson . John . Seale . Jack . Virtue . Graeme . Harrison . Phil . Wright . Jonathan . Arnold . Ben . Howlett . Paul .
  46. Web site: Two Doors Down, BBC Two . The Arts Desk . 2 April 2016 . 25 November 2016.
  47. Web site: Two Doors Down Series 2-Episode 2 . Radio Times . 26 November 2016.
  48. Web site: Doon Mackichan: 'We were sexy, funny women – perhaps that was a bit much' | Television & radio . The Guardian. 13 March 2016 . 24 December 2016.
  49. "https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/two_doors_down/press/
  50. Web site: Hughes . Sarah . Two Doors Down: Doon Mackichan steals the show in this Burns Night horror . The i . 29 January 2018 . 30 December 2020.
  51. News: Harvey . Chris . Two Doors Down is fun with a strong cast, no wonder it keeps being commissioned - review . The Telegraph . 29 January 2018 . 30 December 2020.
  52. Web site: Rowat . Alison . TV Review: Two Doors Down . The Herald . 21 January 2019 . 30 December 2020.
  53. News: Singh . Anita . Two Doors Down: Christmas Special, review: what a treat – a sitcom that is actually funny . The Telegraph . 28 December 2020 . 29 December 2020.
  54. News: Nicholson . Rebecca . Two Doors Down review – a painfully funny portrait of a Covid Christmas . The Guardian . 28 December 2020 . 29 December 2020.
  55. News: Wilson . Benji . Two Doors Down, series 5 episode 1 review: yet another sitcom made from the same old ingredients . The Telegraph . 6 December 2021 . 15 December 2021.
  56. Web site: Power . Ed . Two Doors Down, BBC2, review: A droll send-up of suburbia without the snobbery . The i . 6 December 2021 . 15 December 2021.
  57. News: Midgely . Carol . Two Doors Down review — exploring the classier side of toilet humour . The Times . 15 December 2021.
  58. News: Hogan . Michael . Two Doors Down Christmas Special, review: comedy as awkward as Christmas with the neighbours . The Telegraph . 20 December 2021 . 20 December 2021.
  59. Web site: Fullerton . Huw . Two Doors Down Christmas special review: A festive miracle . Radio Times . 20 December 2021.
  60. Web site: Wilson . Benji . Two Doors Down, review: this sitcom just isn't the same without Doon Mackichan . The Telegraph . 10 November 2022 . 9 November 2022.
  61. Web site: Gilbert . Gerard . Two Doors Down, BBC2, review: One of the last remaining sitcoms is just about hanging on . i . 10 November 2022 . 9 November 2022.
  62. Web site: Rowat . Alison . Two Doors Down, BBC2, series six, episode one and iPlayer . The Herald . 10 November 2022 . 9 November 2022.
  63. Web site: Two Doors Down: Series 6 . WHSmith . 22 February 2022.
  64. Web site: Two Doors Down: Series 7 . WHSmith . 24 December 2023.