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Production on ''Heading Out'' began in early September 2012 and the shoot lasted for five weeks. As Perkins' character is a veterinarian, various animals were used during the shoot. Perkins explained that the animals were "appalling", especially the dog who played Smithson, who barked every time he saw a sound boom and tried to knock her over. Perkins noted that the only animals that behaved themselves were the stuffed cat and the snake.
''Heading Out'' is a
had commissioned the six-part comedy ''Heading Out'', which was created and written by Perkins. The BBC's Executive editor of Comedy Commissioning, Kristian Smith, called the show "a warm, intelligent and brilliantly funny sitcom." While Perkins stated that ''Heading Out'' "might well be the thing that I'm most proud of. It's been a joy to work on, and I hope that joy proves to be infectious." Perkins revealed that she had had the idea for ''Heading Out'' for ten years, before she developed the confidence to write it. She knew that she wanted to write about someone who was stuck and whose friends decided to take drastic action to "save her from her own inertia." The idea slowly began to take shape and developed into the narrative of a woman who struggled to tell her parents that she was gay, until her friends drove her to parent's house on her birthday, so she could come out to them. The comedian revealed that she is a fan of thrillers and wanted to have a ticking clock element to the show, so she thought Sara's coming out would be a good thing to do.
In 2011, Perkins told her agent, Debi Allen, about the idea and a meeting with a BBC comedy commissioner followed shortly after. Perkins was advised to work her idea into a six-part sitcom, which she initially resisted doing as she saw it more as a comedy drama instead. A sitcom required "a 'sit' or precinct" and Perkins eventually decided to locate the show in a veterinary surgery, as it features people from all walks of life. After the first episode was commissioned, a table-read was organised for December 2011. In April 2012, Perkins was filming ''British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
** Britishness, the British identity and common culture
* British English, ...
sitcom created by and starring comedian Sue Perkins. It was first broadcast on BBC Two
BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream an ...
on 26 February 2013. ''Heading Out'' tells the story of Sara, a veterinarian
A veterinarian (vet), also known as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary physician, is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They manage a wide range of health conditions and injuries in non-human animals. Along with this, vet ...
who is given an ultimatum by her friends to tell her parents that she is gay. Perkins had the idea for the sitcom for around ten years, before she developed the confidence to write it. ''Heading Out'' was commissioned for a full series in April 2012 and production began in September that year. The show was not commissioned for a second series.
Premise
Sara is a popular and skilled veterinarian, who has not told her parents that she is gay. On the eve of her fortieth birthday, Sara's friends Jamie (Dominic Coleman
Dominic Andrew Coleman (born 29 January 1970 in Solihull, Warwickshire) is a British actor. He went to secondary school at Tudor Grange Academy Solihull which then led him to train at Leeds University's Bretton Hall where he studied a BA (hons ...
), Justine (Nicola Walker
Nicola Jane Walker (born 15 May 1970) is an English actress, known for her starring roles in various British television programmes from the 1990s onwards, including that of Ruth Evershed in the spy drama '' Spooks'' (2003–2006 and 2009–2011 ...
) and Daniel ( Steve Oram) give her an ultimatum: either she tells her parents the truth or they will do it for her. To help her out, Sara's friends get her to attend a series of sessions with Toria (Joanna Scanlan
Joanna Marion Scanlan (born 27 October 1961) is a British actress. On television, she is known for her roles in British series such as ''The Thick of It'' (2005–2012), '' Getting On'' (2009–2012), ''Puppy Love'' (2014), and ''No Offence'' ( ...
), an eccentric life coach. Things begin to get better for Sara when she meets Eve (Shelley Conn
Shelley Deborah Conn (born 21 September 1976) is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Lady Mary Sharma in the hugely successful Netflix series ''Bridgerton'', as Isabella in the film ''Love Sarah'', as Dr Elizabeth Shan ...
).
Production
Conception
On 23 August 2012, it was announced that theBBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...World's Most Dangerous Roads
''World's Most Dangerous Roads'' is a British TV series in which two celebrities are filmed as they journey by 4×4 vehicle along roads considered among the world's most dangerous. The first series aired on BBC Two
BBC Two is a British ...
'' in Laos, when she was told her sitcom had been commissioned for a full series. From April to July, Perkins wrote the remaining episodes. Perkins later called ''Heading Out'' "a midlife crises sitcom", explaining "It's more about how awkward it is to tell your parents anything, as opposed to just the gay issue. Essentially, when you come out to your parents, you have to tell them, 'I'm having sex!'. And no one wants to say that."
On 9 July 2013, it was confirmed by Shane Allen from the BBC that ''Heading Out'' would not receive a second series, following low ratings.
Filming
Production on ''Heading Out'' began in early September 2012 and the shoot lasted for five weeks. As Perkins' character is a veterinarian, various animals were used during the shoot. Perkins explained that the animals were "appalling", especially the dog who played Smithson, who barked every time he saw a sound boom and tried to knock her over. Perkins noted that the only animals that behaved themselves were the stuffed cat and the snake.
Cast and characters
Perkins plays the protagonist Sara, a veterinarian who has not told her parents she is gay. The comedian told Lockyer that while viewers would assume that the character is based on herself, she only used "trace elements" of her own story for Sara. Perkins said "She's a professional, grown-up woman, with a responsible job as a vet. She has a great bunch of friends, most of them heterosexual, and all of them are saying, 'What's your problem? No one cares! Tell your bloody parents.'" ''Heading Out'' marks Perkins' acting debut. Perkins wrote the other roles with specific people in mind and was "slightly confused" when they all agreed to be in the show. ActressJoanna Scanlan
Joanna Marion Scanlan (born 27 October 1961) is a British actress. On television, she is known for her roles in British series such as ''The Thick of It'' (2005–2012), '' Getting On'' (2009–2012), ''Puppy Love'' (2014), and ''No Offence'' ( ...
plays Toria, a "hopelessly incompetent" lifestyle coach who is hired by Sara's friends to help her. Shelley Conn
Shelley Deborah Conn (born 21 September 1976) is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Lady Mary Sharma in the hugely successful Netflix series ''Bridgerton'', as Isabella in the film ''Love Sarah'', as Dr Elizabeth Shan ...
was cast as Sara's love interest, Eve, who is upfront about liking her. Eve pretends her dog is ill in order to get closer to Sara. Of Eve, Conn stated "My character just comes back episode after episode and won't let go of Sara - that's what's funny."
Steve Oram appears as Daniel, Sara's assistant. When asked what made him want to get involved in the project, Oram revealed that he had loved the script from the moment he read it and really liked his character. Oram called Daniel "slightly misguided and psychopathic", but he has a good heart. Sara's other friends, Jamie and Justine, are portrayed by Dominic Coleman
Dominic Andrew Coleman (born 29 January 1970 in Solihull, Warwickshire) is a British actor. He went to secondary school at Tudor Grange Academy Solihull which then led him to train at Leeds University's Bretton Hall where he studied a BA (hons ...
and Nicola Walker
Nicola Jane Walker (born 15 May 1970) is an English actress, known for her starring roles in various British television programmes from the 1990s onwards, including that of Ruth Evershed in the spy drama '' Spooks'' (2003–2006 and 2009–2011 ...
. Coleman auditioned for the role of Jamie, but was unsure if he would get the part as he did not have much in common with the character.
On 25 October 2012, it was announced that June Brown
June Muriel Brown (16 February 1927 – 3 April 2022) was an English actress and author. She was best known for her role as Dot Cotton on the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' (1985–1993; 1997–2020). In 2005, she won Best Actress at the '' ...
and Dawn French
Dawn Roma French (born 11 October 1957) is a British actress, comedian, presenter and writer. French is known for writing and starring on the BBC comedy sketch show ''French and Saunders'' with her best friend and comedy partner, Jennifer Saunde ...
had joined the cast of ''Heading Out'', along with Steve Pemberton and Jeff Rawle
Jeffrey Alan Rawle (born 20 July 1951) is an English actor. He is known for portraying George Dent in the news-gathering sitcom ''Drop the Dead Donkey''. He also portrayed Silas Blissett in ''Hollyoaks'' from December 2010 until 2012. Rawle ret ...
. Brown plays Toria's "drunken" grandmother, Sozzie, and French plays her mother, Frances. Perkins' comedy writing partner, Mel Giedroyc
Melanie Clare Sophie Giedroyc (; , born 5 June 1968) is a British actress, comedian and television presenter. With Sue Perkins, she has co-hosted series including ''Light Lunch'' for Channel 4, ''The Great British Bake Off'' for the BBC and c ...
, plays Ivanka, the wife of a Russian oligarch who owns a prize dog. Steve Pemberton and Mark Heap
Mark Heap (born 13 May 1957) is an English actor and comedian. He is known for his roles in television comedies, including, ''Brass Eye'', ''Big Train'', ''Spaced'', ''Jam (TV series), Jam'', ''Green Wing'', ''Friday Night Dinner'', ''Upstart ...
star as Jonathan, a vet inspector, and Brian, a pet funeral director, respectively.
Episodes
Reception
''Heading Out'' has garnered mixed reviews from critics. Emma Bullimore from the ''TVTimes
''TV Times'' is a British television listings magazine published by Future plc. It was originally published by Independent Television Publications, owned by the participating ITV companies. The magazine was acquired by IPC Media in 1989, whic ...
'' gave the sitcom three stars and commented "The jokes are a little weak, but with a strong supporting cast, we will definitely persevere." A reporter from ''TV Magazine'' included the first episode of ''Heading Out'' in their Picks of the day feature, calling it "a lively opener". They added "Perkins has selflessly shared the good lines around the great cast, and there are lots of guest stars to look forward to later in the series, including Sue's partner in cake, Mel. Promising." Tom Sutcliffe from ''The Independent
''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...
'' wrote "First impressions weren't bad, though there may be people who don't feel quite the same way about the boldness of introducing your new series with a joke about feline euthanasia." Sutcliffe went onto say that he was left "wondering about the plausibility of plotting", which was "accompanied by sprightly writing." However, he added that he would give the series another go.
Boyd Hilton from ''Heat
In thermodynamics, heat is defined as the form of energy crossing the boundary of a thermodynamic system by virtue of a temperature difference across the boundary. A thermodynamic system does not ''contain'' heat. Nevertheless, the term is al ...
'' said of the series, "Sue Perkins has created a sitcom that seems different to everything else out there, but is also quite old-fashioned in the sense that it actually has loads of funny bits all the way through." Of the series, Alison Graham from the ''Radio Times
''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...
'' quipped "It's a cheerful half-hour of amiable nonsense led by Sue Perkins. I know it hasn't set the world on fire, but its heart is in the right place and the gags are often clever." Kevin O'Sullivan from the ''Daily Mirror
The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily tabloid. Founded in 1903, it is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the title on its masthead was simply ''The Mirror''. It had an average daily print ...
'' called the series "pathetic", adding "Sadly, it's not even mildly amusing. It's a toe-curling car crash. ''My Family
''My Family'' is a British sitcom created and initially co-written by Fred Barron, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadc ...
'' with slightly fewer heterosexuals. But without the laughs."
Home media
The first series of ''Heading Out'' was released as a single DVD box set on 8 April 2013.References
External links
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Heading Out 2013 British television series debuts 2013 British television series endings BBC television comedy English-language television shows Lesbian-related television shows 2010s British LGBT-related television series