The Vibrant Misadventures of a Highwayman

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TV SERIES REVIEW
The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin
TV-14 –

Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 6 x 32m episodes
Director(s): Ben Palmer, George Kane
Writer(s): Claire Downes, Stuart Lane, Ian Jarvis, Richard Naylor, Jon Brittain, Noel Fielding
Cast: Noel Fielding, Ellie White, Marc Wootton, Hugh Bonneville, Duayne Boachie, Tamsin Greig, Asim Chaudhry, Joe Wilkinson, Mark Heap, Geoff McGivern, Michael Fielding, Kiri Flaherty, Samuel Leakey, Dolly Wells
Where To Watch: premiering March 1, 2024, on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes. New episodes will debut weekly, every Friday through March 29

RAVING REVIEW: Get out your history books, look up Dick Turpin, and then promptly toss the book in the trash because we won’t be having any of that as we venture into the whimsical world of THE COMPLETELY MADE-UP ADVENTURES OF DICK TURPIN, the newest series from Apple TV+ we get a series that stitches together the fabric of 18th-century England with the vibrancy of comedy that only Noel Fielding could provide. This comedy series tosses the traditional tales of the notorious outlaw out the window, instead having the slightly infamous Dick Turpin cover all sorts of fantastical misadventures—both figuratively and literally. With Fielding leading the series, we receive less of a history lesson and more of a masterclass on how to blend satire with heartfelt storytelling.

Diving into the narrative, we're transported to the scenic landscapes of Essex, England. Turpin, portrayed as a peace-loving vegan rather than the feared highwayman of history, leads a band of equally quirky characters. Ellie White shines as the sharpshooter Nell Brazier, while Marc Wootton adds a bit of warmth as the soft-hearted Moose Pleck. As the ambitious writer Eliza Bean, Dolly Wells narrates their exaggerated exploits, which are as legen… wait for it… dary as they are laughably implausible. The show's production design—featuring a beautiful mix of “period-accurate” costumes and picturesque settings—elevates the series from mere comedy to a visual feast for the senses.

THE COMPLETELY MADE-UP ADVENTURES OF DICK TURPIN isn't content to simply make viewers chuckle. It wants more from the viewers, diving into the ethical quandaries of satire, specifically of characters that most aren’t familiar with; you don’t think of these names at dinner conversation; instead, it demands that cast and crew take these characters that you realize should be a certain way, and flip them on their heads, while still being somewhat grounded.

The series' strength lies in its cast, each bringing a unique flavor of comedy that ensures no two episodes feel alike. The diversity in storytelling and performance styles—from the heartfelt to the hilariously absurd—makes each chapter of Turpin's adventures fresh.

THE COMPLETELY MADE-UP ADVENTURES OF DICK TURPIN showcases Noel Fielding's unparalleled ability to captivate and entertain. The series invites viewers to reevaluate how we engage with historical narratives, offering a playful, imaginative escape into a past that never was but perhaps should have been.

This series demonstrates the transformative power of storytelling, blending fact with fiction to create a version of history that's as enlightening and just as entertaining. It's a journey filled with laughter, unexpected turns, and a reminder that history, seen through the prism of comedy, can offer a delightful respite from the ordinary.

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[photo courtesy of APPLE TV+]

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