CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? wed 930pm bbc 1 - TV PACE. NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

New 6 part drama starting wed

Dawn (French & Saunders, The Vicar of Dibley) plays widow Debbie Fendon - granny, lawn bowler, tinpot dictator - who will stop at nothing to make sure her family’s protected.

Unfortunately, most of the time the person they really need protecting from is her.

When her hermit-like husband William (Mark Heap - Friday Night Dinner, Green Wing) unexpectedly dies, she makes an outlandish decision that will put the family under more pressure than ever before.

Because Debbie isn’t actually a widow and William didn’t really die – he was just mistakenly declared dead and the two retirees found themselves staring down the barrel of an opportunity too good to pass up.

Just a few months hiding out in the loft waiting for the life insurance to pay out and then they can live out their golden years in peace.

This all proves a bit much for their easily frazzled son Harry (Craig Roberts – Submarine, The Fundamentals of Caring) who - despite his emotional shortcomings - has managed to acquire a family of his own and a potentially life-changing insurance payout from his father’s ‘death’.

What’s especially tricky for Harry is that his pathologically pragmatic wife Neha (Mandip Gill – Doctor Who, This Time Next Year) is a local police officer and, if she finds out about her in-laws’ fraudulent ways, the Fendons might have an issue.

Clearly Harry – reunited with a dad he’s just buried and the reality that his parents have turned into a pensioner version of Bonnie and Clyde – suddenly has a lot more to juggle.

Sandwiched between two generations of toddlers, he finds himself navigating a very common stage of life - only this time, it’s criminal.

Filmed and set in the West Country, Can You Keep a Secret? is the story of an odd little family you haven’t met yet, but that you already know - a sitcom that places comedy icon Dawn French in the middle of some mischief we can all relate to.

Can Debbie Fendon and her family keep their secret? Or will one of them spill the beans?

I love Mark Heap but I hadn't realised how Jim he sometimes is. When he first peered round the corner to reveal himself I was expecting him to say "hello all".

I really enjoyed this. Easy watching and feels comfy - not taxing on the brain which is good. Bloody love Dawn French

Excatly

Try it again

as my reply last night I thought it was Ok ish

today found quire Funny

I watched the first five minutes and had to stop. She was just being her usual bumptious character. Unfortunately she reminds me of an ex-colleague who was a real bully and brashly self confident under her 'aren't a jolly lovely person' exterior. I couldn't stand her and I can't stand when Dawn French reminds me of her. It was also trying so hard to be FUNNY!!! i prefer humour that comes at you a bit sideays. DH and I are watching Waiting For The Out about a Philosopher with OCD teaching in a prison. it is really sad and moving at times but at other times laugh out loud funny because it is so well observed, not forcing jokes down your throat.

I agree that ‘waiting for the out ‘ has moments of comedy and observations that are surprisingly funny. I really liked that show but it’s not always an easy watch.
I didn’t mind this though, but not sure how it’ll pan out.
Probably better if they move house tbh!

Sadly, I stopped after 5 minutes because she annoyed me too much.

I'm glad that those who like her found it enjoyable.

I shall try your recommendation. Thanks

Just about OK.

That's the third different series I've seen Mandip Gill as a police officer.

Me too, it was absolute bollocks in my opinion.

Same I'm afraid. Idiotic and unfunny.

I loved that, it was so moving.

I've watched episode 2 and I'm out. I gave it a chance but nope I don't get it.

Only seen episode 1 so far and I am still in

I may give it one more.

It’s worth a second watch of e1 if you aren’t sure

I def found funnier 2nd time

I feel you need a different mindset to watch this, kind of just go along with it.
( a bit like Black ops, which is also one of my favorites, but incredibly silly and far fetched lol)

I love the house decor.

Same here.

I realise that everyone's sense of humour is different and must admit I'm not a great fan of Dawn French, as pp said she always seems to be playing the same character is a different outfit, but I found it very poor, puerile and totally unfunny.

I did watch it until the end of the episode in the hope it might improve but unfortunately it didn't.

Definitely not going to bother wasting another half an hour of my life watching the second episode.

I binged it and enjoyed it all - easy watching. Hoping there is a second series. Reminded me a bit of the Netflix show with Lisa Kudrow (can’t remember what it’s called) - you have to suspend belief and just enjoy the nonsense!

I didn't think I'd like this as don't normally like zany plots but I laughed a lot at this and ended up binging the whole lot.

Shame on your bingers 🙀🙀🙀😛😛😛

The problem with terrestrial tv is they film a lot during spring / summer time and then seem to put it all out in Jan / Feb!
No pacing .. then we binge it because there isn’t much else on ! I am leaving Netflix soon , so I’ll have less to watch soon as well lol

Control yourself @the80sweregreat

I think it’s good because it’s different and I love Debbie’s ‘ it’s broken Britain ‘ .. catch phrase.

Oh I loved Roger and Val, and I’ve never seen it repeated anywhere. I found it so moving.

Have you seen her in Jam and Jerusalem?