Outnumbered
B OX S E T
Co-writers Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin don’t sugarcoat the realities of family life in this superb comedy. The five series ran on BBC One from 2007 to 2014 and are all now available on iPlayer.
The Brockmans are an ordinary middle class family living in South London. Dad Pete (Hugh Dennis) is a secondary school history teacher and Mum Sue (Claire
Skinner) is a part-time PA. They are outnumbered by their three children – sensible eldest Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey), hyperactive Ben (Daniel Roche) and quirky Karen (Ramona Marquez).
About as far away as it is possible to get from the usual cosy domestic sitcom, the series tackled many of the more difficult aspects of family life including sibling rivalry, work-life balance, and stroppy teenagers. The authenticity of the dialogue was much praised and this was in part due to the approach of Hamilton and Jenkins as writer-directors. While the adult actors had scripted dialogue, the children were instructed before each scene, with much of what they said being completely improvised. It led to a fresh, natural tone and frequently laugh out loud moments which it was possible to see had genuinely surprised Dennis and Skinner. All three child actors were involved in each of the five series, so they grew up over the course of the seven years which added to the realism of the piece. Though frequently joyful and often moving, there is absolutely no hollow sentimentality here. A real treat.