Jump to content

Brassic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the medical dressing, see Boracic lint.

Brassic
Genre
Created by
Written by
  • Danny Brocklehurst
  • Alex Ganley
  • Danielle Ward
  • Ava Pickett
  • Tom Melia
Directed by
Starring
ComposerChristoph Bauschinger
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series6
No. of episodes44 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Danny Brocklehurst
  • Joe Gilgun
  • David Livingstone
  • Jon Mountague
Producers
  • Juliet Charlesworth
  • Mike Noble
  • Jim Poyser
Cinematography
  • Richard Stoddard
  • Alex Veitch
Editors
  • Rachel Hoult
  • Annie Kocur
Running time39–71 minutes
Production companyCalamity Films
Original release
Network
Release22 August 2019 (2019-08-22) –
present

Brassic is a British comedy-drama television series created by Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst for Sky One. The series follows the lives of Vinnie O'Neill (Gilgun) and his gang of friends in the fictional town of Hawley. Other primary cast members include Michelle Keegan, Damien Molony, Tom Hanson, Aaron Heffernan, Ryan Sampson, Parth Thakerar and Steve Evets.

The first series premiered on 22 August 2019. Starting with the third series, following the shutdown of Sky One, the show was moved to Sky Max. The sixth series premiered on 26 September 2024. In June 2024, the show was renewed for a seventh and final series, making it the joint longest-running scripted series on Sky alongside Trollied.

The title Brassic is the colloquial pronunciation of "boracic" as in boracic lint, a medical dressing, the name of which is Cockney rhyming slang for "skint" (i.e. having no money).[citation needed]

Premise

[edit]

Brassic follows the lives of Vinnie O'Neill and his friends as they live their lives in the fictional northern English town of Hawley. The group commits various petty crimes to keep money in their pockets, but as they get older, some of them start to wonder if there's more to life away from the town.[1]

Cast and characters

[edit]

Main

[edit]
  • Joe Gilgun as Vincent "Vinnie" O'Neill: The emotionally intelligent and street-smart leader of a gang of amateur criminals, who struggles with mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and depression. A young Vinnie is portrayed by Zack Pierce (guest series 1–4), Ben Hackett (guest series 2), and Reuven Walker (guest series 6) during flashbacks.
  • Michelle Keegan as Erin Croft: The independent and open-minded emotional core of Vinnie's gang, who seeks a better life beyond Hawley for her young son. A young Erin is portrayed by Chloe Anais Hunt during flashbacks (guest series 5).
  • Damien Molony as Dylan Golding (series 1–4; guest series 5): Vinnie's book-smart best friend and Erin's boyfriend who acts as the gang's schemer. A young Dylan is portrayed by Joseph Riley (guest series 2) and George Kent (guest series 6) during flashbacks.
  • Tom Hanson as Leslie "Cardi" Titt: An insecure but kind-hearted member of Vinnie's gang who finds comfort in caring for his pet pigeon, Nigel.
  • Aaron Heffernan as Ashley "Ash" Dennings: An Irish amateur boxer and the muscle of Vinnie's gang.
  • Ryan Sampson as Thomas "Tommo" Schaffner: A free-spirited entrepreneur who acts as the wild card of Vinnie's gang. A young Tommo is portrayed by Alfie Corbett during flashbacks (guest series 5).
  • Parth Thakerar as Jehan "JJ" Jovani: The owner of a motor workshop and the technical brains of the Vinnie's gang.
  • Steve Evets as Farmer Jim: An eccentric and ill-tempered farmer who lets Vinnie's gang grow their cannabis plants in a bunker on his farm.
  • Ruth Sheen as Kath (series 1): The pub landlady of The Crows Nest that the gang frequents.
  • Anthony Welsh as Jake (series 1–2): Erin's classmate and friend at college.
  • Dominic West as Dr. Christopher "Chris" Coxley: Vinnie's general practitioner with whom he develops a close bond.
  • Ramon Tikaram as Terence McCann (series 2–3; recurring series 1, 6; guest series 5): A local career criminal and businessman who Vinnie steals from.
  • Bronagh Gallagher as Carol Dennings (series 2–present; guest series 1): Ash's older sister who shows an interest in Cardi after joining Vinnie's gang.
  • Tadhg Murphy as Gary Cullen (series 3–4; guest series 1–2, 5): The local undertaker who has an artificial eye and collects unique body parts from corpses.
  • India Mullen as Samantha "Sam" (series 3): A barmaid who becomes close with Vinnie.
  • Joanna Higson as Mary "Sugar" Jones (series 4–present; recurring series 2–3; guest series 1): A former stripper and Erin's best friend, who manages the The Rat & Cutter strip club, and joins Vinnie's gang.
  • Neil Ashton as David "Davey" MacDonagh (series 5–present; recurring series 4; guest series 3): A career criminal who forms a rivalry with Vinnie, hoping to take over his cannabis business.
  • Rachid Sabitri as Mustaffa "Manolito" Calvo (series 5–6; guest series 4): A drug lord with an online cannabis distribution network and a collector of exotic animals.
  • Bhavna Limbachia as Meena (series 5–present; guest series 4): JJ's cousin who takes over as the local undertaker and joins Vinnie's gang.
  • Muzz Khan as Adyan Khan (series 5): A petty criminal who seeks out Vinnie's gang with a job proposition, and later joins them.
  • Camille Cottin as Fiona Frank (series 5): A psychotherapist whom Vinnie is referred to by Dr. Coxley.
  • Dean Lennox Kelly as Curtis Plum (series 6; guest series 5): An eccentric ratcatcher with a severe hoarding disorder hired by Vinnie's gang.

Supporting

[edit]
  • Jude Riordan as Tyler Croft: Erin and Vinnie's young son.
  • Archie Kelly as Shirley "Goldilocks" Paslowski: A Polish farmer and Jim's neighbour.
  • John Weaver as Carl Slater (series 1–3, 5–present): A police officer, later detective inspector, and Vinnie's childhood arch-enemy. Oliver Akers portrays a young Carl during flashbacks (series 2).
  • Tim Dantay as Vinnie's Dad (series 1–2, 4): Vinnie's unnamed alcoholic drifter father.
  • Neil Fitzmaurice as Mr. Bishop (series 1–4): One of Tommo's clients who often clashes with his ex-wife Daffne.
  • Debbie Rush as Daffne Bishop (series 1, 3, 5): Mr. Bishop's ex-wife.
  • Darren Cahill as Mick Dennings (series 1–3, 6): One of Ash and Carol's brothers.
  • Gerard Jordan as Niall Dennings (series 1–3, 6): Another of Ash and Carol's brothers.
  • Steven Hartley as Russell Hardwick (series 1, 3, 5): The rich owner of a golf course in Hawley.
  • Carl Rice as Ronnie Croft (series 1–3, 5): Erin's estranged ex-convict brother. A young Ronnie is portrayed by Billy Winter during flashbacks (series 5).
  • Nikhil Parmar as Steven McCann (series 1, 3, 6): Terance's son, who tries to distance himself from his criminal father.
  • Steve Garti as "Chinese" Dan (series 2–5): A fence in Hawley.
  • Amit Dhut as Calvin (series 2–5): Dan's bodyguard.
  • Claude Scott-Mitchell as Sara (series 2): Dylan's girlfriend after he ends his relationship with Erin.
  • Oliver Wellington as Aaron (series 2): Jake's brother who takes an unhealthy interest in Erin.
  • Jeff Rawle as Mr. Bates (series 2): Vinnie, Dylan, and Carl's former history teacher turned thief.
  • Ed Gaughan as Gideon (series 2–3, 6): Vinnie's kind-hearted middle-aged friend.
  • Hannan Ahmed as Sarim (series 2, 5–6): JJ's criminal cousin who takes part in cocaine smuggling.
  • Chris Lew Kum Hoi as Hoskins (series 3): A detective partnered with Carl.
  • Greg Wood as Barry MacDonagh (series 3–5): Davey's silent but intimidating brother.
  • Niamh Cusack as Clodagh Dennings (series 3): Ash and Carol's aunt.
  • Mark O'Halloran as Francis Dennings (series 3–5): Ash and Carol's uncle.
  • Juliet Cowan as Elizabeth "Liz" Jones (series 3, 5–present): Sugar's alcoholic mother who becomes a bartender at The Crows Nest.
  • Tom Bennett as Ringo (series 4, 6): Babs' husband and a guitarist in an amateur rock band.
  • Mali Harries as Barbara "Babs" (series 4, 6): Ringo's temperamental and sex-crazed wife.
  • Ruth Madeley as Ciara Marie (series 4–5): A self-proclaimed psychic who runs a shop in Hawley.
  • Darci Shaw as Amy (series 4): A young woman who seeks out Erin, claiming to be her half-sister.
  • Lee Mack as Eddie Braithwaite (series 5): The driver of a car carrier trailer who is kidnapped by Vinnie's gang.
  • Samantha Power as Donna MacDonagh (series 5–present): Davey and Barry's sister who rejoins their criminal operation after she's released from prison.
  • Dan Skinner as Phillip "Phil" Brilliance (series 5): A crazed ventriloquist who speaks through his puppet.
  • Johann Heske as Hans Fischer (series 5–present): A German teenager who travels to England to meet Tommo, his biological father.
  • Annette Badland as Rhoda Dennings (series 5): Ash and Carol's great-grandmother.
  • Greg Davies as Richard "Dick" Dolphin (A Very Brassic Christmas): The owner of the Winter Wonderland tourist attraction and one of Edie's former students.
  • Imelda Staunton as Edie Barnes (A Very Brassic Christmas): Dr. Coxley's elderly aunt whom Vinnie is charged with caring for over Christmas.
  • Liza Tarbuck as Beatrice Ebden (series 6): Jim's ex-girlfriend.
  • Elizabeth Berrington as Paloma (series 6): Cardi's estranged mother.

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of Brassic episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1622 August 2019 (2019-08-22)19 September 2019 (2019-09-19)
267 May 2020 (2020-05-07)11 June 2020 (2020-06-11)
386 October 2021 (2021-10-06)24 November 2021 (2021-11-24)
487 September 2022 (2022-09-07)26 October 2022 (2022-10-26)
5828 September 2023 (2023-09-28)16 November 2023 (2023-11-16)
Special21 December 2023 (2023-12-21)
6726 September 2024 (2024-09-26)7 November 2024 (2024-11-07)

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Joseph Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst devised a new comedy television series for Sky One, entitled Brassic, in which Gilgun would portray the lead role, whereas Brocklehurst would write the episodes' stories and scripts.[2] After Gilgun was announced as the series lead, Michelle Keegan, Damien Molony, Tom Hanson, Aaron Heffernan, Ryan Sampson and Parth Thakerar joined the main cast.[3] while Dominic West and Bronagh Gallagher joined in supporting roles.[4][5][6] The first series' trailer was released by Sky One in August 2019.[7] Brassic premiered in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2019, with the first series consisting of six episodes, broadcast weekly.[1] rior to the series premiere, it was renewed for a second series, with producers optimistic that it would be critically reviewed positively.[8]

On 24 April 2020, Sky released the second series' trailer, confirming that it would begin broadcasting on 7 May that year.[9] It was confirmed that it would also broadcast six episodes with all of them becoming available to be streamed through NOW TV from its premiere date, though would officially be broadcast on a weekly basis through Sky.[10] Prior to series 2 commencing its broadcast, Sky recommissioned the series for an expanded third series, consisting of eight episodes.[11]

Filming

[edit]
The programme's setting is based on Joe Gilgun's hometown of Chorley.

The programme is set in the fictional town of Hawley, which is inspired by Gilgun's experience of growing up in Chorley.[12] Regarding the setting, location manager Jonathan Davies stated, "We were given the scripts and a few of us had a meeting with Joe [Gilgun] to talk through the feel and look of the show and to talk about which direction to go in. It's a very collaborative process to build a world that fits with the story and script. People want to feel like they're being transported into that real world of Brassic."[12]

The first two series of Brassic were filmed in the Lancashire town of Bacup.[12] Filming of the first series began in September 2018, with a fan tweeting, "As if Michelle Keegan is filming in Bacup, love her".[12] The filming location surprised locals, as not many were informed about the programme filming there and who the cast members were, with one local stating, "There were quite a few people including myself watching and it was causing a few traffic problems as people kept stopping. Michelle Keegan was there surrounded by security guards and there was a Mercedes van ready to take her away when she was done".[12] Further filming locations included some scenes being filmed in Bolton, the Crows Nest pub scenes are filmed in The Star and Garter public house near Manchester Piccadilly station whereas the inaugural episode's notable car-chase opening scene was shot in West Yorkshire.[12] Yacht journey was filmed at the sea near Llandudno.[13]

On the day of the programme's premiere, Gilgun revealed that filming for the second series had already begun prior to the first series airing, with them supposedly having a previously confidential agreement with Sky weeks before. Filming continued through the entire autumn of 2019, with all previous filming locations from series 1 continuing, and locations also expanding across the North West of England.

Gilgun revealed in an interview that the cast and crew had caused controversy during filming, when they were "kicked out" of a circus after a single day of filming, which resulted in the crew having to film the remaining scenes in a car park; Gilgun later stated that the circus were unaware of the number of cast and crew that the production team were going to bring.[14]

Release

[edit]

The first series consists of six episodes and premiered on 22 August 2019.

Before the first series had aired, it was announced that the show had been renewed for a second series, which premiered on 7 May 2020.[8]

In February 2020, the show was renewed for an expanded third series consisting of eight episodes;[11] which premiered on 6 October 2021 having moved to Sky Max following the shutdown of Sky One.[15]

In August 2021, the show was renewed for a fourth series which premiered on 7 September 2022.[16]

In August 2022, the show was renewed for a fifth series[17] which premiered on 28 September 2023,[18] and was followed by a Christmas special titled A Very Brassic Christmas on 21 December 2023.[19]

In April 2023, the show was renewed for a sixth series,[20] which premiered on 26 September 2024.[21]

In June 2024, the show was renewed for a seventh series, making it the joint longest-running scripted series on Sky alongside Trollied.[22] In January 2025, the show was confirmed to end with the seven series.[23]

International broadcast

[edit]

Internationally, the show has been aired in France, from 16 September 2019; Spain, from 24 September 2019 through streaming; Germany, from 1 January 2020 through streaming; Australia from 25 February 2020, Canada, Russia and the United States.[24] In Russia, the show is titled as Голяк.[24]

In August 2024, the first four series were released on Netflix.[25]

Home media

[edit]

All episodes are available to be viewed through the Sky Go and Amazon Video apps.[26] The entire boxset is also available on NOW TV and Virgin Media in the United Kingdom.[27] On 31 July 2020 all episodes became available in the U.S. via Hulu.[28]

On 27 August 2019, it was announced that the complete first series would release to DVD on 30 September.[27]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian, reviewing the series, gave it four out of five stars, saying: "It is a hilarious, warm, brutal melange that works because it has heart without sentimentality and authenticity without strain."[29]

Creator and lead actor Joseph Gilgun has been praised for his performance as Vinnie O'Neill, with review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes commenting, "Joseph Gilgun is wonderfully expressive as Vinnie, his volatile features continually scrunching together and apart like the top of a drawstring bag."[30]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2019 RTS Craft & Design Awards Costume Design - Entertainment & Non Drama Orla Smyth-Mill Nominated [31]
Picture Enhancement Matt Brown Won
2020 RTS Programme Awards Writer - Comedy Danny Brocklehurst Nominated [32]
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards Best TV Situation Comedy Won [33]
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Comedy Brassic Nominated [34]
TV Choice Awards Best Comedy Brassic Nominated
RTS Craft & Design Awards Design - Titles Titles Team Nominated [35]
2021 RTS Programme Awards Comedy Series Brassic Nominated [36]
RTS North West Awards Best Performance in a Comedy Joseph Gilgun Won [37]
BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Nominated [38]
2022 BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Joseph Gilgun Nominated [39]
2023 RTS Programme Awards Comedy drama Series Brassic Won [40]
BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Joseph Gilgun Nominated [41]
2024 BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Joseph Gilgun Nominated [42]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "When is Michelle Keegan's new comedy Brassic released on Sky?". Metro. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  2. ^ "New comedy Brassic coming to Sky". UK Air Dates. 22 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Brassic (TV Series 2019–) – Full Cast & Crew". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  4. ^ "When is Brassic on TV? Who is in the cast and what is it about?". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Brassic: Michelle Keegan and Joe Gilgun star in first-look trailer for 'edgy' new comedy". Sky News. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Brassic cast and crew credits – British Comedy Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Brassic TV series trailer". Sky News. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  8. ^ a b Westbrook, Caroline (28 August 2019). "Will there be a series 2 of Michelle Keegan's Brassic and how can you watch the first series?". Metro. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Sky One Releases Trailer For 'Brassic' Season 2". TV Wise. 4 April 2020. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Brassic series 2 air date confirmed as hit Sky comedy returns". TellyMix. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Brassic renewed for season 3 by Sky One before the second has aired". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Where is Sky One's Michelle Keegan comedy Brassic filmed?". Metro News. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Where Filmed - Brassic 2019". wherefilmed.org. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  14. ^ "'Filming in a circus was crazy!' Joe Gilgun reveals what's in store as comedy drama Brassic returns". What's on TV. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Brassic season 3 release date: Cast, trailer, plot and latest news". Radio Times. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Brassic season 4 release date: Cast, trailer and latest news". 18 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  17. ^ "More laughs than ever on Sky as Brassic returns for Series 5, plus new images revealed as Series 4 launches on 7 September". Sky Group. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  18. ^ "Brassic gets season 5 trailer as Call My Agent star joins cast". Radio Times. 26 August 2023.
  19. ^ "A Very Brassic Christmas gets release date on Sky Max". Radio Times. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Sky recommissions Brassic and Rob & Romesh Vs for 6th series". British Comedy Guide. 6 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Michelle Keegan's returning hit comedy confirms release date". Yahoo News. 9 September 2024.
  22. ^ Richardson, Jay (17 June 2024). "Brassic returning for a record-equalling 7th series on Sky Max". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  23. ^ Max, Goldbart (17 June 2024). "Brassic To End After Seven Seasons On Sky". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Brassic (TV Series 2019–) – Release Info". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  25. ^ "'Masterpiece' British comedy TV series drops on Netflix and fans are ecstatic". Metro. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Watch Brassic Series 1". Prime Video. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  27. ^ a b "BRASSIC LATEST! Series 2 filming begins & Series 1 DVD released September – pre-order now!". Damien Molony Forum. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  28. ^ Casey, Henry T. (30 July 2020). "How to watch Brassic online: Hulu US release date for UK comedy series". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Brassic review – a tale of northern ne'er-do-wells with humour and heart to spare". The Guardian. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  30. ^ "Brassic: Series 1 – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  31. ^ "CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2019". Royal Television Society. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  32. ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2020 in partnership with Audio Network". Royal Television Society. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  33. ^ "News: Award Nominations For Home, Brassic, Derry Girls & More". Beyond The Joke. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  34. ^ "Comedies up for Broadcasting Press Guild Awards". Comedy.co.uk. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  35. ^ "CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2020". Royal Television Society. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  36. ^ "Winners of the RTS Programme Awards 2021 announced". Royal Television Society. 16 March 2021.
  37. ^ "The winners for the RTS North West Awards 2020/2021". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  38. ^ "BAFTA TV 2021: The Winners and Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  39. ^ "BAFTA TV 2022: The Winners of the 2022 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and the British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  40. ^ "Winners of the RTS Programme Awards 2023 announced". Royal Television Society. 28 March 2023.
  41. ^ "BAFTA TV 2023: The 2023 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises and BAFTA Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  42. ^ "BAFTA TV 2024: The nominations for the 2024 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises and BAFTA Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brassic&oldid=1303830115"