It’s been a long time since John Cleese last frog-marched his way across the screen in a BBC sitcom, but after decades since the madness of Fawlty Towers, he returned in new sitcom, Hold the Sunset, in 2018. Starring alongside Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey) and Jason Watkins (Taboo), it may not be anarchy for the Monty Python comedy great, but it does have an epic theme tune and impressive cast list.
Theme tune
If you’ve heard the title track and you’re not too sure what it is, it’s a slightly rare 1960s gem that is well worth a listen to. It’s ‘Have I The Right?’ by The Honeycombes, which was released back in 1964.
You can listen to the theme song in full with the audio music video below and if you’re looking to find out more about The Honeycombes, you can read about the band’s career here.
Air date
The new show was confirmed by the BBC in April 2017 and went on to get its premier the following year with an air date of the 18th February 2018. The series is made up of six episodes, which out on BBC 1 during its initial run. It’s also available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Story
The plot takes its cue from the success of Mum, which got its own second series in 2017. The story will see Alison playing widower Edith, who is enjoying her retirement with frequent visits from her children, as well as the daily chats with ex-boyfriend Phil (Cleese), who conveniently lives over the road. Having had a number of propositions from Phil to get back together and emigrate to the sunshine abroad, she’s about to say yes, but when her 50 year old son Roger (Watkins) lands on her doorstep, Phil’s best laid plans come crashing down.
Having left his wife and kids, Roger has returned home in a bid to soul search for his lost happiness. With his suitcase in hand, he’s pretty much there to stay, leaving Edith with little choice, but to call off the plans for her own happiness. We’re doubtful that Phil will be much like Basil Fawlty, but there should be at least a little comedy exasperation on his part at the maddening turn of events he’s left to face, despite being so close to his dream life.
Cast list
In addition to Alison Steadman, John Cleese and Jason Watkins, the cast for Hold the Sunset also includes Rosie Cavaliero (Mid Morning Matters Series 2) as Roger’s wife Wendy. They’ll be joined by Anne Reid (Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams) as Edith’s interfering housekeeper Mrs. Gale, James Cosmo (T2 – Trainspotting) as her other ex-boyfriend Bob and Peter Egan (Downton Abbey) as the chippy neighbour Mr. Dugdale.
Production
The show is a BBC Studios original production and it’s been written by Charles McKeown, who picked up an Academy Award nomination for writing Brazil with Terry Gilliam and Tom Stoppard back in the 1980s. Sandy Johnson directed the sitcom with producer Humphrey Barclay and executive producers Chris Sussman and Moira Williams.
Sequel
While the reviews were a little on the mixed side for Hold the Sunset, it picked up enough viewers to be saved from being axed. The BBC went on to announce that a second series has been filmed with production starting in 2018.
Series 2 should arrive later in 2019, so you’ll get to see whether or not Edith and Phil ever get to the sunset. Either way, there will be another six episodes to look forward to, which is bound to feature the same great theme tune as the first series.
