In with the Flynns
Encyclopedia
In with the Flynns is a British sitcom
created by Caryn Mandabach
, produced by Caryn Mandabach Productions, and broadcast by the BBC
. The first series began broadcast on 8 June 2011 for six episodes on BBC One
and in high definition on BBC One HD in the United Kingdom. It is an adaptation of the American series Grounded for Life
.
Set in Manchester
in northern England
, the series stars Will Mellor
as Liam Flynn, Niky Wardley
as his wife Caroline, and Orla Poole, Daniel Rogers, Lorenzo Rodriguez as their children, Chloe, Steve and Mikey respectively. Other characters include Tommy, the children's uncle and Liam's brother, played by Craig Parkinson
, and Warren Clarke
in the role of Liam and Tommy's father Jim.
Originally given the working title of Meet the Doyles, this was changed during production. The theme song Is "For Anyone" by the band Beady Eye
.
in the north of England, but as with many British sitcoms, it was filmed in front of a live studio audience in London, in this case at Teddington Studios
. The show is written by a team of writers, giving it a feel of an American comedy.
's James Walton commented negatively "this is exactly the kind of sitcom that comedies such as The Royle Family
and Outnumbered
are meant to have seen off long ago - and whose strange persistence traditionally fills critics with a mixture of puzzlement and dismay". However he went on to praise the performances of the cast, and called it "a perfectly acceptable 30 minutes of undemanding television". In much the same way, the Guardian's reviewer Zoe Williams called it "bland, smooth and unremarkable" and "the acting is not great" but she also acknowledged that the problem was the set-up: "if they want us to fall in love with the Flynns...they need to be a bit more like actual people". One more positive review came from Metro, who said "Don't set your expectations too high. It's not completely terrible, and has a decent cast...Maybe it’ll settle into a more chucklesome formula once this set-up episode’s out of the way.
British sitcom
A British sitcom tends, as it does in most other countries, to be based on a family, workplace or other institution, where the same group of contrasting characters is brought together in each episode. Unlike American sitcoms, where twenty or more episodes in a season is the norm, British sitcoms...
created by Caryn Mandabach
Caryn Mandabach
Caryn Mandabach is an American television producer.Caryn Mandabach produced ground-breaking US hits including The Cosby Show, Roseanne, A Different World , Grace Under Fire , Cybill , 3rd Rock from the Sun , That '80s Show , That '70s Show , and Grounded for Life .Most recently...
, produced by Caryn Mandabach Productions, and broadcast by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. The first series began broadcast on 8 June 2011 for six episodes on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and in high definition on BBC One HD in the United Kingdom. It is an adaptation of the American series Grounded for Life
Grounded for Life
Grounded for Life is an American television sitcom that debuted on January 10, 2001 as a mid-season replacement on the FOX Network. It was created by Mike Schiff and Bill Martin. It ran for two seasons on the network until being cancelled only two episodes into its third season...
.
Set in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in northern England
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
, the series stars Will Mellor
Will Mellor
William "Will" Mellor is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Jambo Bolton in Hollyoaks, Gaz Wilkinson in comedy, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps...
as Liam Flynn, Niky Wardley
Niky Wardley
Niky Wardley is an English actress. She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.One of her best known parts was in The Catherine Tate Show as Lauren Cooper's best friend Liese Jackson, as well as other parts during the series.-Theatre:...
as his wife Caroline, and Orla Poole, Daniel Rogers, Lorenzo Rodriguez as their children, Chloe, Steve and Mikey respectively. Other characters include Tommy, the children's uncle and Liam's brother, played by Craig Parkinson
Craig Parkinson
Craig Parkinson is a British actor known for playing the twins Jimmy and Johnny Kray in the 2010 ITV drama Whitechapel.Parkinson first came to notice with his portrayal of English music mogul Tony Wilson in director Anton Corbijn's film Control .His film and television appearances include People...
, and Warren Clarke
Warren Clarke
-Biography:Clarke was born in Oldham, Lancashire. His first television appearance was in the long running Granada soap opera Coronation Street, initially as Kenny Pickup in 1966 and then as Gary Bailey in 1968. His first major film appearance was in Stanley Kubrick's controversial A Clockwork...
in the role of Liam and Tommy's father Jim.
Originally given the working title of Meet the Doyles, this was changed during production. The theme song Is "For Anyone" by the band Beady Eye
Beady Eye
Beady Eye are an English rock band formed in 2009. The band consists of vocalist Liam Gallagher, guitarist Gem Archer and guitarist Andy Bell, all former members of Oasis, rounded by drummer and percussionist Chris Sharrock who substituted for Oasis during their last tour in 2008/2009, before Oasis...
.
Production
The series is set in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in the north of England, but as with many British sitcoms, it was filmed in front of a live studio audience in London, in this case at Teddington Studios
Teddington Studios
Teddington Studios is a large British television studio complex located in Teddington, South-West London, providing studio facilities for programmes airing on BBC television, ITV, and Channel 4 along with others...
. The show is written by a team of writers, giving it a feel of an American comedy.
Characters
- Will MellorWill MellorWilliam "Will" Mellor is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Jambo Bolton in Hollyoaks, Gaz Wilkinson in comedy, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps...
as Liam Flynn, husband to Caroline and father of three children - Niky WardleyNiky WardleyNiky Wardley is an English actress. She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.One of her best known parts was in The Catherine Tate Show as Lauren Cooper's best friend Liese Jackson, as well as other parts during the series.-Theatre:...
as Caroline Flynn, Liam's wife and mother of three children - Warren ClarkeWarren Clarke-Biography:Clarke was born in Oldham, Lancashire. His first television appearance was in the long running Granada soap opera Coronation Street, initially as Kenny Pickup in 1966 and then as Gary Bailey in 1968. His first major film appearance was in Stanley Kubrick's controversial A Clockwork...
as Jim Flynn, Liam and Tommy's father - Craig ParkinsonCraig ParkinsonCraig Parkinson is a British actor known for playing the twins Jimmy and Johnny Kray in the 2010 ITV drama Whitechapel.Parkinson first came to notice with his portrayal of English music mogul Tony Wilson in director Anton Corbijn's film Control .His film and television appearances include People...
as Tommy Flynn, Liam's brother - Orla Poole as Chloe Flynn
- Daniel Rogers as Steve Flynn
- Lorenzo Rodriguez as Mikey Flynn
Reception
The first episode brought mixed reviews from television critics. The TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
's James Walton commented negatively "this is exactly the kind of sitcom that comedies such as The Royle Family
The Royle Family
The Royle Family is a popular, BAFTA award-winning television comedy drama produced by Granada Television for the BBC, which ran for three series between 1998 and 2000, and specials from 2006 onwards...
and Outnumbered
Outnumbered
Outnumbered is a British sitcom. Airing on BBC One since 2007, it stars Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner as a father and mother outnumbered by their three children...
are meant to have seen off long ago - and whose strange persistence traditionally fills critics with a mixture of puzzlement and dismay". However he went on to praise the performances of the cast, and called it "a perfectly acceptable 30 minutes of undemanding television". In much the same way, the Guardian's reviewer Zoe Williams called it "bland, smooth and unremarkable" and "the acting is not great" but she also acknowledged that the problem was the set-up: "if they want us to fall in love with the Flynns...they need to be a bit more like actual people". One more positive review came from Metro, who said "Don't set your expectations too high. It's not completely terrible, and has a decent cast...Maybe it’ll settle into a more chucklesome formula once this set-up episode’s out of the way.
Episodes
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