Alice & Jack

Last updated

Alice & Jack
Alice & Jack.jpg
Created byVictor Levin
Screenplay byVictor Levin
Directed by Juho Kuosmanen
Hong Khaou
Starring
Theme music composer Stephen Rennicks [1]
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Domnhall Gleeson
  • Andrea Riseborough
  • Victor Levin
  • Juho Kuosmanen
  • Richard Yee
  • Krishnendu Majumdar
  • Michael London
  • Shannon Gaulding
  • Lorenzo De Maio
  • Rebecca Dundon
  • Hilary Martin
ProducerTracy O’Riordan
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release14 February (2024-02-14) 
29 February 2024 (2024-02-29)

Alice & Jack is a television series made for Channel 4 and PBS. A romantic drama created and written by Victor Levin, it stars Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson.

Contents

Alice & Jack premiered on 14 February 2024. The series consists of 6 episodes. [2]

Synopsis

The series follows the lives of its titular characters over a decade and a half. Alice, a high-strung loner who works in finance, goes on a date with Jack, a shy, gentle scientist. After spending one night together, they go their separate ways, but there is an attraction that keeps bringing them back together time and again in spite of themselves.

Cast

Production

The show is written by Victor Levin. The series is directed by Juho Kuosmanen and Hong Khaou. It is a Fremantle production in partnership with Me + You Productions, Groundswell Productions and De Maio Entertainment and Masterpiece. Tracy O’Riordan is producer on the series. Andrea Riseborough and Domnhall Gleeson will both star and executive produce. Other executive producers include Levin, Kuosmanen, Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar, Michael London, Shannon Gaulding, Lorenzo De Maio, Rebecca Dundon and Hilary Martin. [3]

Casting

Joining Riseborough and Gleeson in the cast are Aisling Bea, Sunil Patel and Aimee Lou Wood. [4]

Filming

Filming took place in London, southeast England and Gran Canaria in the summer of 2022. [5]

Broadcast

The series premiered in the UK on Channel 4 on 14 February 2024 and in the US on Masterpiece on March 17, 2024. [6] [7]

Reception

Anita Singh of the Telegraph awarded the series two stars out of five, writing that “Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson are narcissistic and sappy, respectively, in this pretentious foil to Netflix's current hit rom-com.” [8]

James Hibbs of the Radio Times writes:

Impressive performances, insufferable characters.

There's innovation in this show's bones, and that's to be applauded. It's clear that everyone involved in this project cares about it deeply, and wanted to make something new, something original.

In a number of ways, they have succeeded. Alice & Jack feels unique as you watch it, helped along by two phenomenal performances, strong visuals and a dazzling score. It largely feels more like an indie film than a series.

When the story allows these characters to explore other aspects of the human experience, rather than just their destructive, self-indulgent love story, is when it comes alive. [9]

Lucy Mangan, in The Guardian , gives two stars out of five and writes: "Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson have zero chemistry. ... Alice & Jack works harder and harder to convince us of everything, but, despite the talented leads giving it their all, there isn’t enough to convince us of anything." [10]

Vicky Jessop in The Standard website also gives gives two stars out of five and writes: "...this bleeding hearts story needs a defibrillator ... Quite why either Domhnall Gleeson or Andrea Riseborough signed up for this is a mystery". [11]

Carol Midgley, in the The Times , gives it four out of five stars and says: "I’ve fallen for this anti-rom-com". [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendan Gleeson</span> Irish actor and director (born 1955)

Brendan Gleeson is an Irish actor and director. He has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, two British Independent Film Awards and three IFTA Awards, along with nominations for an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards and five Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, he was listed at number 18 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors. He is the father of actors Domhnall Gleeson and Brian Gleeson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Wright</span> British film director

Joseph Wright is an English film director. His motion pictures include the literary adaptations of Pride & Prejudice (2005), Atonement (2007), Anna Karenina (2012), and Cyrano (2021), the action thriller Hanna (2011), the Peter Pan origin story Pan (2015), and the Darkest Hour (2017), a political drama following Winston Churchill during World War II nominated for Best Picture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrea Riseborough</span> British actress

Andrea Louise Riseborough is an English actress. She made her film debut with a small part in Venus (2006), and has since appeared in more prominent roles in Brighton Rock (2010), W.E. (2011), Shadow Dancer (2012), Oblivion (2013), Birdman (2014), Nocturnal Animals (2016), Battle of the Sexes, The Death of Stalin, Mandy, Nancy, The Grudge, Possessor, and To Leslie (2022). For the latter, she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domhnall Gleeson</span> Irish actor (born 1983)

Domhnall Gleeson is an Irish actor and screenwriter. He is the son of actor Brendan Gleeson, with whom he has appeared in a number of films and theatre projects. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts from Dublin Institute of Technology.

<i>Anna Karenina</i> (2012 film) 2012 film by Joe Wright

Anna Karenina is a 2012 historical romantic drama film directed by Joe Wright. Adapted by Tom Stoppard from Leo Tolstoy's 1878 novel of the same name, the film depicts the tragedy of Russian aristocrat and socialite Anna Karenina, wife of senior statesman Alexei Karenin, and her affair with the affluent cavalry officer Count Vronsky. Keira Knightley stars as the titular character; this is her third collaboration with director Joe Wright following Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Atonement (2007). Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson appear as Karenin and Vronsky, respectively. Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Domhnall Gleeson, and Alicia Vikander appear in key supporting roles.

<i>Shadow Dancer</i> (film) 2012 film

Shadow Dancer is a 2012 political thriller film directed by James Marsh and scripted by Tom Bradby, based on his 1998 novel of the same name. The film premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, and it was screened out of competition at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aisling Bea</span> Irish comedian, actress, and screenwriter

Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan, known professionally as Aisling Bea, is an Irish comedian, actress and screenwriter. She created, wrote and starred in the comedy series This Way Up on Channel 4. As a stand-up comedian, she won the So You Think You're Funny award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2012, being only the second woman to win the award in its then-25-year history. She also appears regularly on light entertainment comedy panel shows such as QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats.

The 15th British Independent Film Awards, held on 9 December 2012 at the Old Billingsgate Market in central London, honoured the best British independent films of 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be Right Back</span> 1st episode of the 2nd series of Black Mirror

"Be Right Back" is the first episode of the second series of British science fiction anthology series Black Mirror. It was written by series creator and showrunner Charlie Brooker, directed by Owen Harris, and first aired on Channel 4 on 11 February 2013.

Earth's Greatest Spectacles is a 2016 British nature documentary series created and produced by the BBC, first shown in February 2016 at BBC Two and BBC Two HD. The series takes on stunning seasonal changes based on the three locations where it reveals the dramatic process which occur for each year and showing how wildlife adapts to cope with the changes.

National Treasure is a four-part 2016 British television drama by Channel 4, written by Jack Thorne. It stars Robbie Coltrane as Paul Finchley, a once successful comedian of the 1980s and early 1990s, now hosting a television quiz show. He is accused of raping several young women in the early 1990s. Julie Walters plays his wife Marie and Andrea Riseborough plays his daughter Dee.

<i>Nancy</i> (film) 2018 film by Christina Choe

Nancy is a 2018 American psychological drama film written and directed by Christina Choe in her feature directorial debut. It stars Andrea Riseborough in the title role, with J. Smith-Cameron, Ann Dowd, John Leguizamo, and Steve Buscemi in supporting roles. It follows a serial imposter who, blurring lines between fact and fiction, becomes increasingly convinced she was kidnapped as a child.

<i>The Kindness of Strangers</i> (film) 2019 film

The Kindness of Strangers is a 2019 drama film written and directed by Lone Scherfig. The film stars Zoe Kazan, Tahar Rahim, Esben Smed, Andrea Riseborough, and Caleb Landry Jones.

<i>The Bisexual</i> 2018 British television series

The Bisexual is a comedy-drama television series created by Desiree Akhavan and Rowan Riley and starring Akhavan, Maxine Peake, and Brian Gleeson. The series, a co-production between British television network Channel 4 and American streaming service Hulu, debuted on 10 October 2018 in the United Kingdom and on 16 November 2018 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aimee Lou Wood</span> English actress

Aimee Lou Wood is an English actress. After early stage roles in Mary Stuart (2016–2017) and People, Places and Things (2017), Wood made her screen debut on the Netflix series Sex Education (2019–2023), which won her a British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance from two nominations. Her films include The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021) and Living (2022). On stage, she appeared in the likes of Uncle Vanya (2020) and Cabaret (2023).

<i>Run</i> (American TV series) American television series

Run is an American comedy thriller television series created by Vicky Jones that premiered on April 12, 2020 on HBO. It stars Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson, and one of its executive producers is Jones' frequent collaborator, Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Run's pilot episode was directed by Kate Dennis.

Frank of Ireland is an Irish comedy television series created by brothers Brian Gleeson and Domhnall Gleeson, and Michael Moloney. It premiered in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 on 15 April 2021 and Australia, Canada and the United States on Amazon Prime on 16 April 2021.

White House Plumbers is an American satirical political drama television miniseries created and written by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck and directed by David Mandel, based on the 2007 book Integrity by Egil Krogh and Matthew Krogh. The series stars Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Domhnall Gleeson, Kiernan Shipka, and Lena Headey and it premiered on HBO on May 1, 2023.

<i>To Leslie</i> 2022 American film

To Leslie is a 2022 American drama film directed by Michael Morris in his feature directorial debut, and written by Ryan Binaco. The film stars Andrea Riseborough as Leslie Rowland, a single mother and alcoholic who squanders all the prize money she received after winning the lottery. She soon finds the chance to redeem herself when a motel owner offers her a job. Allison Janney, Marc Maron, Andre Royo, Owen Teague, and Stephen Root are featured in supporting roles.

<i>The Patient</i> 2022 American psychological thriller limited series

The Patient is an American psychological thriller television limited series created and written by Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg, who also serve as showrunners and are executive producers along with Chris Long, Caroline Moore, Victor Hsu, and Steve Carell. It premiered on August 30, 2022, on FX on Hulu and concluded on October 25 of that same year, consisting of ten episodes. The series stars Carell, Domhnall Gleeson, and Linda Emond.

References

  1. "Stephen Rennicks Scoring Channel 4's 'Alice & Jack'". Film Music Reporter. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  2. "Alice & Jack: Release date, cast and latest news for Channel 4 drama". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  3. Goldbart, Max (9 August 2023). "Andrea Riseborough Cast In 'Alice & Jack', First Major Role Since 'To Leslie' Controversy; Channel 4 Drama Also Stars Domnhall Gleeson". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  4. London, Rob (9 August 2023). "Domhnall Gleeson and Andrea Riseborough Reunite for Romance Series 'Alice & Jack'". Collider. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. Ravindra, Manori (9 August 2023). "Andrea Riseborough, Domhnall Gleeson Lead Offbeat Channel 4 Romance 'Alice & Jack,' Directed by 'Compartment Number 6' Helmer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  6. Rice, Lynette (12 December 2023). "'Alice & Jack': Masterpiece Reveals Premiere Date For Series Starring Andrea Riseborough, Domhnall Gleeson". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  7. Heritage, Stuart; Abbott, Kate (28 December 2023). "'Guaranteed to be a banger': the 50 must-see TV shows for 2024". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  8. "Alice & Jack, review: Channel 4's joyless, anti-Valentine's slog is no One Day". The Telegraph. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  9. "Alice & Jack review: Impressive performances, insufferable characters". Radio Times. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  10. "Alice & Jack review – Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson have zero chemistry". The Guardian. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  11. "Alice & Jack on Channel 4 review: this bleeding hearts story needs a defibrillator". The Standard. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  12. Carol Midgley (14 February 2024). "Alice & Jack review — I've fallen for this anti-rom-com". The Times. Retrieved 30 April 2024.