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All about Douglas Is Cancelled - the ITV comedy drama

07 June 2024 , 08:01
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Can a top TV presenter come back after he
Can a top TV presenter come back after he's cancelled for telling a sexist joke, or is there more to it?

DOUGLAS Is Cancelled is a new comedy drama set in a TV newsroom that will have you checking your digital footprint.

Here’s everything you need to know about the series, including who's in it and what it's about.

Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan in new comedy drama Douglas Is Cancelled qeituithidzuprw
Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan in new comedy drama Douglas Is CancelledCredit: ITV

Who is in the cast of Douglas Is Cancelled?

Hugh Bonneville

Hugh Bonneville takes the title role, playing star TV news man Douglas Bellowes.

Speaking about his character, he said: “Douglas is a perfectly decent, pleasant man who's doing a good job and is well liked for what he does. 

“He thinks so, too. Even when, a couple of years ago, he welcomed a younger colleague, Madeline, onto the sofa beside him he felt secure, safe in the knowledge that the warm, avuncular relationship he had with his protegée wasn’t a threat to his own position. 

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“Is he smug? I wouldn’t say so. Unguardedly confident, definitely. But, just as the dinosaurs didn’t know they were a dying breed, Douglas is blithely unaware that the next generation is smarter, more streetwise and capable of sheer ruthlessness when the chips are down. 

“Or when wrongs have not been righted. That’s his blind spot. His fatal flaw. That’s what’s at the heart of his character. Hubris.”

Bonneville is best known for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in the TV series Downton Abbey.

He has also appeared in films like Notting Hill and Paddington, as well as the BBC comedy series W1A.

Karen Gillan

Sitting alongside Bonneville on the TV news sofa as his co-presenter Madeline is Karen Gillan.

She gained fame for her portrayal of Amy Pond in the popular TV series Doctor Who.

Gillan also starred as Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and has appeared in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Endgame.

Karen Gillan stars in Douglas Is Cancelled
Karen Gillan stars in Douglas Is Cancelled

Alex Kingston

Douglas' wife Sheila is played by Alex Kingston, who first shot to fame in hit US medical drama ER in the late nineties.

She is also well-known for playing River Song in the popular TV series Doctor Who.

Her stage work includes performances in productions such as Macbeth and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

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Nick Mohammed

Nick Mohammed is a British actor, comedian, and writer.

He shot to fame for his role as Nathan “Nate" Shelley in the hit TV series Ted Lasso, which has garnered critical acclaim.

His talents extend to voice acting, with roles in animated series such as Danger Mouse and The Amazing World of Gumball.

Ben Miles is one of the stars of Douglas In Cancelled
Ben Miles is one of the stars of Douglas In CancelledCredit: The Times

Simon Russell Beale

Simon has been described by The Independent as "the greatest stage actor of his generation". 

He has won numerous awards, including multiple Laurence Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for his performance in The Lehman Trilogy.

Beale's TV credits include notable roles in Penny Dreadful, The Hollow Crown, Spooks, and the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall.

Ben Miles

Ben Miles plays one of the show bosses.

You may recognise him from TV comedy Coupling and award-winning Netflix drama The Crown, where he played Princess Margaret's lover Peter Townsend.

He has also appeared in significant TV roles in series such as Lark Rise to Candleford and The Trial of Christine Keeler.

What is Douglas Is Cancelled about?

Douglas is Cancelled is a four-part comedy drama set in the fast world of TV news.

It's written by Primetime Emmy and BAFTA Winning screenwriter Steven Moffat. 

Things kick off when it comes out that national treasure news presenter Douglas Bellowes told an extremely sexist joke at a wedding.

Madeleine Power

Madeleine Power is set to make her series debut on Douglas Is Cancelled.

She is known for Six Wives with Lucy Worsley (2016), The Last Kingdom (2015) and The Radleys (2024).

Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan are top telly news presenters in Douglas Is CancelledHugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan are top telly news presenters in Douglas Is Cancelled
Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan are top telly news presenters in Douglas Is CancelledHugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan are top telly news presenters in Douglas Is Cancelled

What is Douglas Is Cancelled about?

Douglas is Cancelled is a four-part comedy drama set in the fast world of TV news.

Things kick off when it comes out that national treasure news presenter Douglas Bellowes told an extremely sexist joke at a wedding.

We're taken on a roller coaster journey to find out if his career can survive, or if he'll become another casualty of cancel culture.

As the show goes on we'll find out just how much anyone is on his side, both working with him in the newsroom and watching the show at home.

Where is Douglas Is Cancelled filmed?

Douglas Is Cancelled was filmed at a number of famous locations around Central London, with some scenes taking place at the iconic Covent Garden.

The series is written by globally renowned screenwriter and executive producer Steven Moffat who is known for Doctor Who, Dracula, Sherlock.

Speaking about the upcoming drama, he said: “There is a lot of humour in it. 

“There are a lot of cliffhangers in it, and there's a lot of entertainment in it. 

But it is also the kind of show where you want people to be arguing about it afterwards. 

“I would like to think they would be good-humoured arguments because there's absolutely nobody who's an angel in this show at all. At all!

How to watch Douglas Is Cancelled

Douglas Is Cancelled lands on the box on June 27, 2024 at 9pm.

The four part series will run weekly for four weeks on ITV.

All episodes will be made available as a boxset on ITVX the day of launch.

Phil Towers

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