Henpocalypse, BBC

A certain section of the British public is on constant alert for the next great British sitcom. There have been many false dawns and damp squibs, but Henpocalypse, a deeply and authentically regional affair, might just be able to hold its weight with some of the best.

Callie Cooke is a uniquely charming lead. Authentically working class and Brummie in this series, she treads the line between being a star and being an everywoman. She maximises the sardonic funny in an already funny script and with a face or a look has the ability to make any moment or any line hilarious.

Every cast member in Henpocalypse brings something to their role and enhances Caroline Moran’s beautiful script. As alluded to, the show is richly regional, showcasing an underrepresented part of the country in the West Midlands. Some do the accent and the nuances better than others, but Bernadette (Elizabeth Berrington) does it best. Her character drives a lot of the humour in Henpocalypse and most embodies the stoic, dirty and disgusting character of the show.  

The world of Henpocalypse, like all of our favourite sitcoms, is a place we want to stay in. We get into some hilarious situations (war with a trio of kegel exercising pilates instructors), and there are funny one liners (fanny humour to finally rival dick humour), but the show is also underpinned by some pretty solid story.

The narrative reveals that Shelley (Callie Cooke) has actually cheated with the groom to be through flashbacks, and another well plotted narrative thread sees Jen (Kate O Flynn) infected with gangrene and running away with a hallucination of Danny Dyer. Both story strands are engaging and joyous.

All in all, Henpocalypse is a charming triumph. Laugh out loud funny while being packed with story and intrigue.