Watch Mr Sloane

Mr Sloane is a British comedy-drama television series produced by the BBC that premiered in 2014. The series stars Nick Frost in the title role of Jeremy Sloane, a man who finds himself at a crossroads in his life in the early 1960s. The show also features Olivia Colman as Janet, his love interest, and a cast of other talented actors.

The series follows the life of Mr Sloane, a downtrodden and somewhat clumsy man who is fired from his job as an accountant and abandoned by his wife. Feeling adrift and unsure of his future, he moves into a boarding house in the London suburb of Watford, where he becomes entangled with a group of eccentric characters.

The show is set against the backdrop of 1960s Britain, with its changing social norms and cultural shifts. While Mr Sloane is at the heart of the series, it is also about the larger-than-life characters he encounters throughout his journey. There is his landlady, Mrs. Wyndham (played by Ophelia Lovibond), who is both nosy and flirtatious. Then there's Robin (played by Peter Serafinowicz), Sloane's frenemy from school who always seems to be one step ahead of him. And of course, there's Janet (played by Olivia Colman), the beautiful but troubled woman who captures Mr Sloane's heart.

The show uses humor to explore some of the darker aspects of life in the 1960s, such as marital infidelity, alcoholism, and mental illness. However, it never loses its light touch and manages to balance the comedy and drama elements nicely. The show has been praised for its witty writing and excellent performances, particularly from Nick Frost, who brings a unique vulnerability to the role of Mr Sloane.

One of the most interesting things about Mr Sloane is the way it plays with time and memory. The series features flashbacks to Mr Sloane's childhood and early adulthood, which often shed light on his current situation. These flashbacks are shot in a dreamlike style, with muted colors and a hazy quality to the image, making it difficult to tell what is real and what is imagined.

Another notable aspect of the show is the attention to detail paid to the 1960s setting. The costumes, music, and set design are all superbly done, transporting viewers back to a different era. The show never feels like a caricature of the 1960s, but rather a genuine attempt to capture the spirit of the times.

Despite its critical acclaim, Mr Sloane only ran for one season of six episodes. However, it remains a beloved cult favorite for its unique blend of comedy and drama, and its exploration of a fascinating time in British history. The show has been described as a hidden gem in the world of television, and it is definitely worth checking out for fans of well-written, character-driven dramedies.