Watch Chelmsford 123

Chelmsford 123 is a British comedy sitcom that aired on Channel 4 from 1988 to 1990. It was created and written by Jimmy Mulville, Rory McGrath, and Philip Pope, and starred Neil Pearson as the lead character, Justin Thyme. Set in the Roman provincial town of Chelmsford in AD 123, the show follows the daily lives and humorous misadventures of its inhabitants, including the Roman governor, Aulus Paulinus, played by Mulville, and his inept deputy, Grasius, played by McGrath. Pearson plays Justin Thyme, a civil servant and personal assistant to Aulus, who constantly struggles to keep his boss and the town under control.

The show was filled with witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and absurd situations that poked fun at Roman society and culture, with a heavy dose of contemporary references and anachronisms. The writing and performances were praised for their cleverness and irreverence, and the show developed a cult following among comedy fans.

Chelmsford 123 also had a strong supporting cast, including Jimmy Mulville's real-life wife, Helen Atkinson-Wood, as Aulus' wife, and Judy Flynn as the town's resident fortune teller and Justin's love interest, Roxana.

The show's theme song, "Chelmsford 123", was written and performed by Philip Pope and became a hit, reaching #27 in the UK charts. The theme, along with the show's irreverent humor and memorable characters, helped to cement Chelmsford 123 as a beloved classic of British comedy.

Although the show only ran for two series, it had a lasting impact on British comedy and inspired a number of similar sitcoms that played with historical settings and anachronistic humor.

Overall, Chelmsford 123 is a witty and irreverent sitcom that blends Roman history with contemporary humor to create a unique and entertaining world. Its clever writing, memorable characters, and absurd situations make it a must-see for fans of British comedy.

Chelmsford 123 is a series that ran for 2 seasons (13 episodes) between March 9, 1988 and on Channel 4