Mackenzie Crook to direct The Change

Filming starts soon on series 2 of Bridget Christie's comedy

Mackenzie Crook is to direct series 2 of Bridget Christie’s Channel 4 comedy The Change.

The Detectorists creator will start shooting the show in the Forest of Dean next month, the broadcaster has announced.

He 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.’

Christie added: ‘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.’

Crook is also being reunited with Laura Checkley, who played Danebury Metal Detecting Club stalwart Louise in the Detectorists, as she joins the new series as Eel Sister Theresa, replacing Monica Dolan, who was Eel Sister Carmel in series one

The returning cast include 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 as Linda’s husband Steve.

The comedy is made by Expectation, where executive producer Morwenna 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."

At the start of series two, Linda (Christie) has got some explaining to do, having temporarily abandoned her family for a mid-life adventure in the forest and having told lies to the community she found there.

The Change Series 2 production credits

Made by: Expectation
Written by: Bridget Christie
Producer: Lisa Mitchell
Director: Mackeznie Crook
Executive producers: Bridget Christie, Nerys Evans and Morwenna Gordon.
Commissioned by: Charlie Perkins, Channel 4 head of Comedy and Laura Riseam, commissioning editor for comedy

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Published: 25 Jun 2024