Mackenzie Crook to direct Series 2 of Bridget Christie’s The Change

25 June 2024

Filming begins next month on the second series of Bridget Christie’s critically acclaimed, BAFTA and RTS-nominated comedy hit, The Change, produced by Expectation, and will be directed by Mackenzie Crook (Detectorists, The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean).

Mackenzie Crook said: “The Change was my favourite TV show of 2023 and so to find myself directing Series 2 feels like winning a competition. My prize includes Bridget's beautifully crafted scripts, a cast of comedy legends, and a summer of filming in the glorious British countryside. What a privilege to be working with Expectation and to be back on Channel 4 where I started my career.”

Bridget Christie said: “Detectorists was my favourite British TV show of the past decade and was a huge influence on The Change, so to have Mackenzie directing the second series feels like a mad dream. I can’t think of anyone better suited to direct.”

Morwenna Gordon, Executive Producer, Expectation said: “We’re thrilled that Mackenzie is joining the team for the second series of The Change. He and Bridget have such a shared sensibility and love for beautiful, funny, profound stories, set against the backdrop of the gorgeous British countryside. Along with our stellar cast, this feels like the perfect partnership.”

The star-studded cast returning to the Forest of Dean are Susan Lynch playing Eel Sister Agnes; Tanya Moodie playing DJ Joy; Liza Tarbuck playing Linda’s older, domineering sister Siobhain; Jim Howick as The Verderer; Jerome Flynn as Pig Man; Paul Whitehouse as Tony and Omid Djalili is back as Linda’s husband Steve. Laura Checkley (King Gary, Detectorists) joins the new series as Eel Sister Theresa.

At the start of series two, Linda (Bridget Christie) has got some explaining to do. Faced with the repercussions of the lies she’s told the forest community, along with losing the Mother Tree, and the arrival of husband Steve who has come to bring her home, Linda's future in the forest looks uncertain. But she’s already come a long way since being mother/wife/homemaker Linda Jane Jenkins of Swindon, and her journey is far from over.  She may have only been Eel Queen for a day, but something’s changed in Linda which means she’s not done yet – in fact she’s only just started. But little does she realise what a huge impact this decision will have on the town…and Steve.

The Change series two was commissioned by Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy and Laura Riseam, Commissioning Editor for Comedy at Channel 4. The series is produced by Expectation and executive producers are Bridget Christie, Nerys Evans and Morwenna Gordon. The producer is Lisa Mitchell.

BBC Studios, who have a minority investment stake in Expectation, are handling international distribution of the series.

Critical praise for The Change (series one) -

“Bridget Christie’s super-cool menopause comedy is like nothing else on TV” 

(The Guardian)

“The most uplifting and joyous bit of television to have graced our screens this decade”

(The Telegraph) 

“Beautifully written and performed – sharp as a razor, subversive and surprising, with not a line wasted” 

(Daily Mail)

“One of the most vital, brilliant, British comedies in years” 

(The i)