Fortysomething (TV series)

Fortysomething (TV series)
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Title	Fortysomething
Genre	Comedy-drama
Creator	Hugh Laurie
Based on	Novel by Nigel Williams
Starring	Hugh Laurie, Anna Chancellor, Benedict Cumberbatch
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Runtime	60 minutes
Network	ITV
First aired	9 November 2003
Last aired	14 December 2003

Fortysomething (TV series) is a British comedy-drama television series that aired on ITV in 2003. Created by and starring Hugh Laurie, it is an adaptation of the novel by Nigel Williams. The series explores the midlife crisis of a general practitioner navigating family chaos and professional uncertainty.

Plot

The series follows Dr. Paul Slippery, a general practitioner in London experiencing a profound midlife crisis. His life unravels as he grapples with a failing medical practice, a distant wife, and three troublesome sons. Concurrent storylines involve his anxieties about his wife's potential affair, his sons' various misadventures, and surreal fantasies that blur the line between his reality and his fears. The narrative weaves through themes of masculinity, aging, and familial duty against the backdrop of North London suburbia.

Cast and characters

Hugh Laurie stars as the beleaguered protagonist, Dr. Paul Slippery. His wife, Estelle, is portrayed by Anna Chancellor. Their sons are played by Benedict Cumberbatch as Rory, Neil Henry as Daniel, and Rory Copus as Adam. The supporting cast includes Peter Capaldi as Paul's confident and successful brother, Olivia Williams as a colleague and object of Paul's fantasies, and John Bird as a rival doctor. Guest appearances feature actors such as Emma Fielding and Roger Allam.

Production

The series was produced by Talkback Thames for ITV, with Hugh Laurie serving as creator and lead. It was adapted from the 1999 novel by Nigel Williams. Filming took place on location in various parts of London, including Hampstead. The production design aimed to contrast the chaotic Slippery household with the sterile environment of the NHS clinic. Director Jon Jones helmed all six episodes.

Episodes

All six episodes aired in a single series in late 2003. The premiere, "Episode 1," introduced Dr. Slippery's crumbling world on 9 November. Subsequent episodes, including "Episode 2" and "Episode 3," delved deeper into his marital strife and professional humiliations. The latter half of the series, with episodes like "Episode 5" and the finale "Episode 6," built towards a climax involving a family wedding and a confrontation with his brother. Each episode ran for approximately 60 minutes.

Reception

Critical reception was mixed, with praise directed at Hugh Laurie's performance and the series' ambitious, surreal style. Reviewers for The Guardian and The Independent noted its sharp writing but found the tone uneven, struggling to balance comedy and pathos. The series was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best New Director (Fiction) for Jon Jones. It has since gained a cult following, particularly noted for early performances by Benedict Cumberbatch and Peter Capaldi.

Release

The series originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on ITV from November to December 2003. It was released on DVD in Region 2 by Network in 2004. The series has been syndicated on various digital channels, including ITV3, and has been available for streaming in some territories. Despite its limited original run, it remains a notable part of Hugh Laurie's career in British television.

Category:2003 British television series debuts Category:2003 British television series endings Category:ITV television dramas