Like many sitcoms, W1A featured a middle-aged man convinced that he’s the only sane person left in the world. Usually, of course, this merely goes to show how delusional the bloke is – but the subversive twist here was that Ian Fletcher, the BBC’s head of values, seemed to be right. Playing Ian, Hugh Bonneville therefore spent much of his screentime radiating a bemused dismay at the madness around him.
The only question is whether the show will hold its nerve or whether Douglas will prove toxic after all
Now, as the main character in the comedy drama Douglas Is Cancelled, Bonneville is at it again. When we first met Douglas Bellowes, he’d just finished recording the latest Live at 6, a topical TV show that he presents in the traditional way: by looking avuncular alongside an attractive female co-host who is at least 20 years his junior. But then came the chilling news from producer Toby (Ben Miles) that ‘there’s been a tweet’.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in