The Curse strikes again on Channel 4

24 August 2022

Praise for series 1

The Independent *****

“Retro heist sitcom is so good that it’ll blow the bloody doors off”

 

The Guardian *****

“A sublime crime caper with an unfeasibly brilliant cast”

 

Radio Times *****

“A terrific piece of television that serves as both an uproarious comedy and a compelling heist show in its own right.”

 

The Telegraph

“An amiable crime caper that is a cut above the usual sitcom fare”

 

Heat

“A thrilling collab of top British comedy talent”

 

Channel 4 has recommissioned crime-comedy caper The Curse for a second series. Written by the combined multi-BAFTA award-winning partnership of Tom Davis and director James De Frond (Murder in Successville, King Gary), along with Steve Stamp, Allan Mustafa, Hugo Chegwin (People Just Do Nothing) and Emer Kenny (Pramface). The series is produced by Shiny Button, a Banijay UK company.

The second season of The Curse joins the gang eighteen months on from the dramatic airport escape, arrest, and murderous ending of the season one finale. It’s 1985 with Albert (Allan Mustafa), Tash (Emer Kenny) and Sidney (Steve Stamp) now residing in the sunny Costa Del Sol, recently dubbed the Costa Del Crime, a safe haven for UK criminals during this period due to the lack of extradition treaty between British and Spanish governments meaning they were totally untouchable. Albert and Tash have invested the money from the gold in a dream restaurant and hotel business, whilst Sidney under the new alias ‘Andrew’ runs a bar on the beach. Meanwhile, Big Mick (Tom Davis) is in prison awaiting trial, very much enjoying the fame that follows now being officially associated with the biggest gold heist in history and Phil ‘The Captain’ Pocket (Hugo Chegwin) is dead. In the shadows, frustrated Detectives Saunders and Thread, who are powerless to make arrests, have no choice but to go deep undercover in Spain to gather evidence on the whereabouts of the golden haul.

What becomes quickly evident is that Spain isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The stakes are higher, the gangsters are scarier, and the vultures are beginning to circle. Behind the cocktails around the pool and the paradise façade the calamitous gang have very much got out of the frying pan and into the fire. The Curse takes hold in the Spanish heat and it’s a guessing game who will get out alive.

Joe Hullait, Commissioning Executive at Channel 4 said: “We’re so excited that this comedy supergroup are returning for another instalment of The Curse and cannot wait to see what exile in Spain looks like for the gang. It’s going to be comedy gold.”

Tom Davis added: “We’ve been blown away by the response to the first series. Excited to be upping the ante and heading back to the 80s for some fun in the sun. ESPANA BABY.”

Steve Stamp commented: “Taking these idiots to Spain is going to be incredible. Hopefully we’ve got a decent budget cos we’re gonna need A LOT of factor 50.”

The Curse was commissioned for Channel 4 by Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy, Joe Hullait, Commissioning Executive for Comedy, Fiona McDermott, former Head of Comedy and Jack Bayles former Commissioning Editor. The Curse is Written by James de Frond, Tom Davis, Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp, Hugo Chegwin and Emer Kenny. Executive Produced by James de Frond, Tom Davis, Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp and Hugo Chegwin. Producer is Richard Webb (King Gary). The series will be directed by James de Frond and is a Shiny Button production, a Banijay UK company. Banijay Rights are distributing internationally.

 

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