Miranda | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Created by | Miranda Hart |
Written by | Miranda Hart |
Directed by | Juliet May Mandie Fletcher |
Starring |
|
Theme music composer | Alex Eckford |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 3 |
No. of episodes | 20 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer | Jo Sargent |
Producers |
|
Production locations | BBC Television Centre (2009–2013) The London Studios (2014–2015 specials) |
Camera setup | Multi-camera Video (2009–2015) HD video (on location 2014–2015) |
Running time | 30 minutes 35 minutes (2014–2015 specials) |
Original release | |
Network | BBC Two |
Release | 9 November 2009 – 20 December 2010 |
Network | BBC One |
Release | 26 December 2012 – 1 January 2015 |
Related | |
Call Me Kat |
Miranda is a British television sitcom written by and starring comedian Miranda Hart. It originally aired on BBC Two from 9 November 2009, and later on BBC One. Developed from Hart's semi-autobiographical BBC Radio 2 comedy Miranda Hart's Joke Shop (2008), the situation comedy revolves around socially inept Miranda, who frequently finds herself in awkward situations. The show features actors Sarah Hadland, Tom Ellis and Patricia Hodge. It was filmed in front of live audiences at the BBC Television Centre and The London Studios.
Receiving positive reviews from television critics, Miranda won a Royal Television Society award and gained several BAFTA TV Award nominations. [6] [7] [8] The series has since been regularly repeated on British television and is available in the United States through Hulu. [9]
The episodes revolve around the difficulties that Miranda (Miranda Hart) gets herself into. She is [ convert: needs a number ] tall and sometimes mistaken for a man, is addressed as 'Sir'. She has never fitted in with her old boarding school friends, Tilly (Sally Phillips) and Fanny (Katy Wix) and finds social situations awkward, especially around men. She is a constant disappointment to her mother, Penny (Patricia Hodge), who is desperate for her to get a proper job and a husband. Although Miranda owns and lives above her own joke shop and boutique, she lacks any real capacity for business, so it is managed by her childhood friend Stevie Sutton (Sarah Hadland). The restaurant next door is initially run by Clive Evans (James Holmes), until series three, when the restaurant's chef, Gary Preston (Tom Ellis), purchases it from him. After many failed attempts at dating, Miranda and Gary, a friend from university whom Miranda fancies, decide to be just friends. Nevertheless, when Gary gets a girlfriend called Rose (Naomi Bentley), it prompts Miranda to start a new relationship with Michael 'Mike' Jackford (Bo Poraj), a local reporter whose work soon takes him to Africa. Upon his return he proposes to Miranda, as does Gary when he realises his love for her. Miranda accepts Gary's proposal rather than Mike's and Miranda and Gary get married in the final episode.
Abigail Wilson, who worked for comedians Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, suggested Hart pitch a show to the BBC after seeing her perform in 2003. [7] Following a read-through of her script with Saunders and BBC executives, [7] a television pilot, based on her semi-autobiographical writing, was filmed in early 2008, [15] and the series was then developed into a sitcom for radio; [7] Miranda Hart's Joke Shop aired on BBC Radio 2 in August and September 2008. [16] A television series was commissioned in August 2008 and began filming in June 2009. [17] [18] Outdoor shots for series one were shot in Hounslow, West London. [19]
In an interview with the BBC's Writersroom, Hart said of the semi-autobiographical basis for the series:
Well I developed this stand-up persona, and that's where it all started from. I realised I was getting laughs being a version of me, and that's what ended up in the sitcom. You do ultimately start from yourself but I'm pleased to say I did have to exaggerate for comedic effect. It wasn't entirely autobiographical. I'm not quite that mad. [20]
Series | Episodes | Originally aired | Ave. UK viewers (million) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | Network | ||||
1 | 6 | 9 November 2009 | 14 December 2009 | BBC Two | 2.72 | |
2 | 6 | 15 November 2010 | 20 December 2010 | 3.55 | ||
3 | 6 | 26 December 2012 | 28 January 2013 | BBC One | 9.48 | |
Specials | 2 | 25 December 2014 | 1 January 2015 | 9.21 |
Each episode begins with a welcome to audience and a 'Previously in my life ...' segment, and Hart says a joke shop is the "right place" as the setting after being asked to consider an office to "normalise" the character. [20] Her love of 1970s comedy programmes, such as Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em , is the influence for Miranda. The episodes end with a 'You have been watching ...' credits section where each cast member waves goodbye, as seen concluding Jimmy Perry and David Croft sitcoms such as Dad's Army and Hi-de-Hi! . [21] Quoted in The Times , Hart says "I'm saying this is what I'm doing and I'm not scared to do it. Some of my comedy peers do slightly fear being a mainstream figure, as if it's slightly uncool. Well, I thought I'm going to embrace it." [7] Throughout each episode, Hart breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience directly, a technique described as a "simple creative decision [that] makes this infectious comedy sing"; [22] another critic stated "this is hard to pull off, but it works well". [22]
Following the conclusion of the first series, the BBC commissioned a second series for BBC Two in 2010. [23] Of this, Hart said "I am not only relieved but totally overwhelmed by the response and thrilled that people have enjoyed the series. I am very grateful for all the support and to the BBC for giving me the chance to do another series next year." [24] Filming started during the first weeks of summer, and the new series began broadcast in November 2010. [23] [25] [26] The second series comprises six episodes and saw the return of Miranda's mother and friends, Stevie, Gary and Tilly. [27]
For the BBC broadcast, following the end of each episode viewers could press the red button, or go online, to watch Hart interview a guest who had inspired her during the writing of the show. [28] Hart's friend Clare Balding was the first guest and they discussed how Balding influenced the character of Tilly. [29] [30] Frank Skinner was interviewed for the second episode. [31] Following the end of episode five, which is a two-hander between Miranda and Penny, the red-button feature saw Hart interview her real-life mother. [32] In late 2010, Hart announced that she would be filming a special edition of Miranda for Comic Relief. [33] The sketch saw Miranda team up with dancers from Pineapple Dance Studios . [34]
Miranda was recommissioned for a third series by BBC Comedy commissioner Cheryl Taylor in January 2011. [35] Hart revealed that the third series might not be ready until 2012, but she may write a Christmas special. [36] The following month it was announced that the third series of Miranda would be shown on BBC One. [37] In April 2011, Hart announced on The Graham Norton Show that she had set herself to start writing the third series the following month. [38] However, Hart revealed in November she had still not started writing the series. [39] That same month it was announced Hart would not be doing a new Christmas special, though the 2010 Christmas episode would be repeated on BBC One. [40]
On 17 December 2011, Andrew Mickel of Digital Spy reported Hart's involvement with BBC One drama Call the Midwife had delayed the third series of Miranda until Autumn 2012. [41] Filming on the third series ended in early October 2012. [42] A month later, a BBC News reporter revealed that Gary Barlow would appear in an episode of the third series as himself. They stated that he would "get friendly in an unexpected way" with Hart. [43] The third series began broadcasting from 26 December 2012. [44] The outdoor scenes for the second episode of the third series were filmed in Church Street, Kingston upon Thames. [45] [ non-primary source needed ]
Due to the cliffhanger at the end of the third series, it was suspected that Miranda would return for a fourth series. However, in July 2014, Hart announced that there are no plans for a fourth series but 'a couple of specials' would be made. [46] Hart later announced that the two Christmas specials would be the end to the sitcom. Hart said the end was "going to be really emotional", but added that she didn't want her sitcom character "to keep falling over and making a fool of herself". [47]
The first special, titled "I Do, But To Who?" aired on 25 December 2014 [48] and the final episode titled "The Final Curtain" aired on 1 January 2015. [49]
The main cast of Miranda (aside from Ellis and Holmes), reunited for the 2017 Royal Variety Performance, for which Hart was the host. They appeared several times throughout the evening in character.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the start of the show, the cast were recorded at the London Palladium in 2019 celebrating and commemorating the series. [50] Hart announced the special on Twitter while stressing that it would not be a new episode. [51] The 70-minute programme Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration was broadcast on BBC One on 1 January 2020. [52] [53] [54] [55]
The first series was picked as one of the top 10 forthcoming TV shows for autumn 2009 by The Sunday Times . [6] Ahead of the first episode airing, Dominic Maxwell in an article for The Times described it as an "old-school" sitcom and said that "It's good fun, if you buy into it. And if you do, it's because of Hart." [7] Also describing it as "old-fashioned", Vicky Frost for The Guardian said of the slapstick physical comedy that "It's not clever – but it is funny. And that, I think is at the heart of Miranda's appeal." [8] Mark Wright for The Stage said that Hodge gives a "brilliant, brilliant performance" and that "what sets Miranda out as something special is Hart herself, and the rest just gels around her." [56] The first series opened with 2.63 million viewers (10% audience share), rising to 3.14 million viewers (12% share) for the fourth episode. [57] [58]
The second series opened with 3.19 million viewers, rising to 4.01 million viewers for the third episode. [59] [60] Rachel Tarley from the Metro said Miranda is an acquired taste and that an episode can be a mixed bag. [61] However, Tarley enjoyed the festive episode of series 2, saying "Hart got away with a lot of the more irritating qualities of her work, with help from the fantastic Patricia Hodge and Sally Phillips. Tonight was also the first we saw of Miranda's father, played by Tom Conti, who filled most of the episode's falling-over quota, so that Miranda finally remained pretty vertical throughout the episode." [61] She added that Hart is "a great observer of everyday dilemmas" and the best thing of all is she left the door open for a third series. [61] Dominic Cavendish of The Daily Telegraph called Miranda "the sitcom of the year", [62] while Chris Harvey of the same newspaper said "The truth is, pretty much every time Miranda turns and looks at the camera, I burst out laughing. And even when her slapstick is so obvious it wouldn't confuse a small child [..] I still laugh. Even when I'm trying not to. Even when I really, really don't want to." [63] Meanwhile, Catherine Gee said the show was a flop and listed six reasons why, which included unoriginal jokes, Hart's asides to the camera and the show retaining "the worst aspects of the sitcoms of yesteryear." [63]
The opening episode of the third series became one of the most watched shows in the UK over the Christmas period, attracting a total audience of over 11.5 million viewers. [64] For The Telegraph, Michael Deacon compares the programme to a childish Christmas panto, finally adding, "Perhaps I’m just getting old. I’m sure I’d have loved this show when I was six." [65] Keith Watson, writing for Metro, says the series three finale is a "great end to an up-to-scratch season, Miranda never fails to cheer up an evening, reminding many of us that we aren’t alone in the everyday awkward situations that we might find ourselves in – to some extent, anyway." [66]
George Entwistle stated, "Miranda's been a tremendous hit with audiences on BBC Two and I'm very glad she's let us persuade her to move to BBC One, where we believe we can build an even bigger following for her multi-award-winning show. BBC Two has done an exceptional job of supporting and nurturing Miranda over a number of years and I'm certain she'll be equally well looked after at BBC One." [67]
Year | Event | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Royal Television Society Awards | Comedy Performance | Miranda Hart | Won | [68] [69] |
Scripted Comedy | Miranda | Nominated | |||
Comedy Writing | Miranda Hart, James Cary and Richard Hurst | Nominated | |||
British Academy Television Awards | Best Scripted Comedy | Miranda Hart | Nominated | [70] | |
Best Female Comedy Performance | Miranda Hart | Nominated | |||
Monte-Carlo Television Festival | Best Actress | Miranda Hart | Nominated | [71] | |
Best Actress | Patricia Hodge | Nominated | |||
Broadcast Awards | Best Comedy Programme | Miranda | Nominated | [72] | |
2011 | British Comedy Awards | Best New British TV Comedy | Miranda | Won | [73] [74] |
Best TV Comedy Actress | Miranda Hart | Won | |||
People's Choice Award for the King or Queen of Comedy | Miranda Hart | Won | |||
Best Sitcom | Miranda | Nominated | |||
Royal Television Society Awards | Best Scripted Comedy | Miranda | Won | [75] | |
Best Comedy Performance | Miranda Hart | Won | |||
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards | Production Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Production | Harry Banks | Won | [76] | |
37th Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | Best Comedy Show | Miranda | Won | [77] | |
British Academy Television Craft Awards | Best Director | Juliet May | Nominated | [78] | |
British Academy Television Awards | Best Female Comedy Performance | Miranda Hart | Nominated | [79] | |
YouTube Audience Award | Miranda | Nominated | |||
2013 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme | Miranda Hart | Nominated | [80] |
2016 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme | Miranda Hart | Nominated | [80] |
DVD title | Release date (individual sets) | Features | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Region 2 (UK) | Region 2 (DE) | Region 4 | ||
Series 1 | 15 November 2010 [81] | 7 November 2014 [82] | 6 May 2010 [83] |
Distribution:
Rating: Special features:
|
Series 2 | 7 November 2011 [85] | 27 February 2015 [86] | 15 September 2011 [87] |
Distribution:
Rating: Special features:
|
Series 3 | 4 November 2013 [89] | TBA | 5 June 2013 [90] |
Distribution:
Rating: Special features:
|
The Finale | 26 January 2015 [92] | TBA | TBA |
Distribution:
Rating:
Special features: |
DVD title | Release date (multiple/other sets) | Features | ||
Region 2 (UK) | Region 4 | |||
Series 1 & 2 | 7 November 2011 [93] | No release |
See individual releases for all other information | |
Series 1, 2 & 3 | 4 November 2013 [94] | 20 November 2013 [95] |
See individual releases for all other information | |
Christmas! | 24 November 2014 [96] | No release |
Distribution:
Rating:
| |
The Complete Boxset | 26 October 2015 [97] | TBA |
See individual releases for all other information |
America In August 2018, it was reported that The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons was developing a U.S. remake for Warner Bros. Television. Hart would be involved in developing the remake as a producer, but it was not revealed if she would star as well. [98] The series was ordered by Fox on 19 September 2019 and titled as Call Me Kat , in which Mayim Bialik would also star. [99] It premiered on 3 January 2021. It was cancelled on 4 May 2023. [100]
Germany In August 2021 it was announced that there would be a German adaptation of Miranda called Ruby. Anna Böger can be seen in the lead role. [101] It was released on ZDFNeo on September 13, 2022. It was co-produced by BBC Studios Germany. [102]
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an excellent source of always-reliable cringe comedy
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