Jude Morgan-Collie films his family’s unravelling from behind a camcorder, turning mundane disasters into comedic gold. The Jessops began as a lockdown one-off called Pandemonium, with coronavirus wrecking their American holiday dreams and dumping them in grey Margate instead. What started as a BBC Comedy Playhouse pilot became a full series when Tom Basden realised the pressure of performing for a lens while everything collapses around them was comedy heaven.
Katherine Parkinson plays Rachel, the neurotic mother whose birthday Wowcher languishes six months before the family remembers to use it on its final valid day. Jim Howick is Paul, the father whose bronze medal from the Sydney Olympics becomes a running humiliation when his former teammate Ray turns up annually to gloat. Alison Steadman completes the older generation as Sue, whose attempts at community organising result in a street fayre where Robin’s ice cream van choice spectacularly backfires.
The handheld conceit means each episode has the authentic feel of a teenager documenting his family’s most excruciating moments, from Amy’s disastrous job interview to Paul’s oversized police helmet. By series three, the format has evolved from accidental lockdown footage to deliberate family documentation, with Sam now studying film and using his relatives as coursework material. The show’s genius lies in making the camera another family member, capturing every petty grievance and minor triumph with the brutal honesty only a 17-year-old could provide.
Production Details
BBC One / 3 Seasons / 19 Episodes / 2022 - Present
Created by: Tom Basden
Showrunner(s): Tom Jordan, Tom Basden, Josh Cole
Writer(s): Tom Basden
Producer(s): Sam Ward, Kenny Tanner
Main Cast
Jim Howick as Paul Jessop
Katherine Parkinson as Rachel Jessop
Alison Steadman as Sue Jessop
Tom Basden as Robin Hankey
Jude Collie as Sam Jessop
Freya Parks as Amy Jessop
Tori Allen-Martin as Cherry Lee-Dixon
Mica Ricketts as Maya Hughes
Aidan Cheng as Xiaoming
Brydie Service as Fara
Ed Kear as Dean
Rich Keeble as Archery Commentator (voice)
