In 1970s England, three blue-collar friends spend their days joking, drinking, fighting and chasing girls. Freddie wants to leave their working-class world but cool, charismatic Bruce and lovable loser Snork are happy with life the way it is. When Freddie gets a new job as a door-to-door salesman and bumps into his old school sweetheart Julie, the gang are forced to make choices that will change their lives for ever.
Writing
Merchant/Gervais dial down the cringe, find genuine heart.
Acting
Tom Hughes as Bruce — pure chaotic charisma, devastating final scene.
Production
1970s Berkshire recreated with love, not mockery.
Director
Stephen Merchant
Christian Cooke
Frederick "Freddie" Taylor
Tom Hughes
Bruce Pearson
Jack Doolan
Snork
Felicity Jones
Julie Kendrick
Ralph Fiennes
Mr. Kendrick
Ricky Gervais
Len Taylor
Emily Watson
Mrs. Kendrick
Matthew Goode
Mike Ramsay
Anne Reid
Freddie's Gran
Steve Speirs
Sgt. Wyn Davies
Julia Davis
Mrs. Taylor
Francis Magee
Mr. Pearson
Burn Gorman
Renwick
David Earl
Brian
Bryony Hannah
Louise
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title refers to a real Reading suburb where Gervais grew up — the railway scenes were filmed at the actual station.
Ralph Fiennes took the role because he wanted to work with Gervais; his restrained performance as Mr. Kendrick deliberately subverts his usual intensity.
US
GB
