Henpocalypse!

Henpocalypse!
Screenplay by	Caroline Moran
Directed by	Jack Clough Holly Walsh
Starring	Kate O'Flynn Lucie Shorthouse Elizabeth Berrington Callie Cooke Lauren O'Rourke
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	6
Production
Executive producers	Phil Clarke Helen Williams Roberto Troni
Producer	Imogen Cooper
Production companies	BBC Studios Various Artists Limited
Original release
Network	BBC Two
Release	15 August (2023-08-15) – 19 September 2023 (2023-09-19)

Henpocalypse! is a 2023 British comedy television series on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 15 August to 19 September 2023.

Synopsis

Unbeknownst to a group of Birmingham women on a hen-do in remote North Wales, and their hired male stripper, an apocalypse of crab measles threatens to wipe out human civilisation.[1]

Cast

Main cast

• Lucie Shorthouse as Zara
• Callie Cooke as Shelly
• Elizabeth Berrington as Bern
• Kate O'Flynn as Jen
• Lauren O'Rourke as Veena

Supporting cast

• Catherine Ayers as Leonie
• George Somner as Gary
• Kaine Zajaz as Lee Rhind
• Mariam Haque as Nesbit
• Roya Amini as Kelly
• Tasha James as Donna
• Ben McGregor as Drew
• Danny Dyer as himself
• Jess as Barney the Dog

Episodes

No.	Title [2]	Directed by	Written by	Original release date [2]	U.K. viewers (millions)
1	"Tits Up"	Holly Walsh / Jack Clough	Caroline Moran	15 August 2023 (2023-08-15)	N/A
2	"Ends Of The Earth"	Jack Clough	Caroline Moran	22 August 2023 (2023-08-22)	N/A
3	"Liquid Gold"	Jack Clough	Caroline Moran	29 August 2023 (2023-08-29)	N/A
4	"Feel The Bern"	Jack Clough	Caroline Moran	5 September 2023 (2023-09-05)	N/A
5	"Don't Tell The Bride"	Jack Clough	Caroline Moran	12 September 2023 (2023-09-12)	N/A
6	"The Big Day"	Jack Clough	Caroline Moran	19 September 2023 (2023-09-19)	N/A

Production

A six-part series of 30 minute episodes was commissioned in July 2022 for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Executive producers on the series include Phil Clarke, Helen Williams and Roberto Troni.[3] Written by Caroline Moran, the series has Holly Walsh & Jack Clough as a director.[4] The series is produced by Phil Clarke and Jesse Armstrong’s production company, Various Artists Limited.[5]

Casting

The main cast features Elizabeth Berrington, Lucie Shorthouse, Callie Cooke, Lauren O'Rourke, and Kate O'Flynn.[6] Screenwriter Moran personally wrote Danny Dyer an email to request his cameo appearance.[7]

Filming

Filming locations included Pensby Boys School on the Wirral.[8] Filming also took place in North Wales, in early 2023.[9] Locations in Wales include Abergele, with Llanfair Talhaiarn and Moel Famau, in the Clwydian Range also used.[10]

Broadcast

The programme premiered on BBC Two and the BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom on 15 August 2023.[11]

Reception

David Craig in The Radio Times says "it's totally daft but unashamedly so, and there's a lot of fun to be had for those willing to go along for the ride".[12]

Rebecca Nicholson in The Guardian said it was a "big, robust comedy", which "isn't for the faint-hearted".[13]

It was a The Times Critics' choice saying the show was "coarse, amoral and seriously funny. Bring on series two."[14]

Frances Taylor in The Radio Times calls it "bold, brash and a lot of fun".[15]

The Daily Telegraph called it "gleefully broad and raucously entertaining".[16]

Rachel Cooke in The New Statesman called the comedy on the show “relentlessly laboured” full of “faux-feminist puerility”.[17]

References

1. Nicholson, Rebecca (12 August 2023). "Henpocalypse: The hilarious hen-do comedy about drinking 'penis coladas' at the end of the world". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
2. "Henpocalypse! episode guide - British Comedy Guide". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
3. "Henpocalypse! commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer". Advanced-Television. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
4. Gilbert, Gerard (15 August 2023). "What's on TV tonight: A hen party is interrupted by the end of the world in Henpocalypse!". inews. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
5. Khomani, Nadia (12 August 2023). "'Female version of the Lord of the Flies': BBC sitcom explores hen do that goes feral". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
6. May, Naomi (14 August 2023). "Henpocalypse: This New BBC Comedy Is About A Hen Party Being Derailed By The Apocalypse". Elle. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
7. Craig, David. "Henpocalypse! creator 'begged' Danny Dyer to star: "It had to be him"". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
8. Greer, Jamie (12 August 2023). "BBC comedy filmed in former Wirral school to start next week". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
9. Craig, David (15 February 2023). "Elizabeth Berrington on Henpocalypse! and the reality of ageism in TV". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
10. Nisbet, Megan (17 August 2023). "BBC Henpocalypse! cast list, Welsh filming locations and how many episodes". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
11. "Prepare for the Henpocalypse". Chortle. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
12. "Henpocalypse! Unashamedly fun – as any good hen do should be". The Radio Times. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
13. "Henpocalypse! The hilarious hen-do comedy about drinking 'penis coladas' at the end of the world". Guardian. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
14. "Henpocalypse!". The Times. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
15. "Henpocalypse!". The Radio Times. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
16. "Henpocalypse!". The Daily Telegraph. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
17. "Henpocalypse! How did this painful dildo-wielding comedy make it to air?". New Statesman. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

External links

• Henpocalypse! at IMDb