8 /10 1 Votes
Genre Sitcom Original language(s) English Program creator Dawn French Executive producer Dawn French | 8/10 IMDb Country of origin United Kingdom First episode date 6 August 2010 Networks BBC, BBC Two | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Written by Emma Kilcoyne, Beth Kilcoyne, Dawn French Starring Dawn French
Alfred Molina Opening theme "Come Softly to Me"
by The Fleetwoods Cast Dawn French, Alfred Molina Similar Rev, How Not to Live Your Life, Sykes, Jam & Jerusalem, Grandma's House | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roger & Val Have Just Got In is a British sitcom that stars Dawn French and Alfred Molina playing married couple Roger and Val Stephenson. The show premiered on BBC Two on 6 August 2010 and six episodes were broadcast for the first series. The show was created by Dawn French, directed by Jamie Rafn, and written by Beth Kilcoyne and Emma Kilcoyne.
Contents
Each episode is set in the half-hour after Roger and Val arrive home from work. Episodes play out in real time with no laughter track. The deeper issues in the couple's lives are often underplayed by being glossed over in conversation. The longing for escape is a trait prevalent in both characters' personalities.
Episode by episode, the series gradually permits the viewer an insight into the reality of Roger and Val's life. Underneath the mundane middle aged couple's daily routine, the viewer becomes aware of a real heartache which both characters avoid talking about but which has altered their life fundamentally: the death of their infant son Christopher. The screenwriters include subtle hints in regard to Roger and Val's heartache - a photo of Val holding a baby, for example - rather than introduce the topic directly. Over the series the viewer slowly realises that both Roger and Val's lives have been devastated.
In May 2011 Dawn French was nominated for a BAFTA for her role as Val. As a result of the BAFTA nomination, the first series is currently reshowing on the UKTV channel Gold.
The first episode of the second series, 'The Shock', was broadcast on 8 February 2012 on BBC Two.
The series was briefly available on the Netflix platform in the UK, but has since been removed.
Plot
Dawn French and Alfred Molina star in this comedy series focusing on the everyday, seemingly trivial trials and tribulations faced by a middle-aged married couple. The bittersweet comedy looks at how they get on in the first half an hour after walking through their front door.
Production
Six episodes were produced for the first series by the BBC. The show was created by Dawn French, the director is Jamie Rafn and the writers are Beth Kilcoyne and Emma Kilcoyne. A Further Six episodes were also produced for the BBC for 2012.
Series 2 (2012)
Series two began airing the first of six episodes on Wednesday 8 February 2012 on BBC Two.
DVD Release
The First Series of Roger & Val was released on 13 September 2010. The second series was released on DVD in February 2013 and the show continues to be shown on the Netflix platform.