Watch Vicious

Vicious is a British sitcom that ran from 2013 to 2016, starring acting legends Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellen as a loving, yet volatile, elderly couple. Frances de la Tour, Iwan Rheon, Marcia Warren, and Philip Voss also feature prominently in the show. Freddie (McKellen) and Stuart (Jacobi) have been together for nearly 50 years, living in a small flat in London's West End. Despite their long history, they still bicker and argue like a new couple, and their barbs are as sharp as ever. This abrasive dynamic has been further stoked by the presence of Violet (de la Tour), Stuart's outspoken best friend and occasional rival.

Throughout Vicious, the characters' wit and witicisms are both endearing and biting. Stuart often complains about Freddie's dramatics, while Freddie laments that Stuart has become too boring over the years. Meanwhile, Violet watches on with amusement, frequently asking probing questions and stirring the pot.

While the show is primarily concerned with the three main characters' relationships, it also features a number of smaller set pieces with secondary characters. For example, neighbors Ash (Rheon) and Penelope (Warren) provide some comic relief, with their adoration for Freddie and constant misunderstandings about the nature of his and Stuart's relationship.

Despite the show's fun, playful tone, it also deals with more serious issues like aging in the LGBT+ community. As the characters grapple with getting older, they confront the question of what it means to be gay in a youth-obsessed society. Some episodes touch on subjects like coming out to one's family, the difficulty of finding gay role models, and even suicide.

Overall, Vicious is a hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking look at a group of friends navigating the later stages of their lives with wit and verve. The dynamic between the main characters is something truly special, and viewers cannot help but fall in love with these eccentric, lovable characters.

Although the show only lasted for two seasons, it has been a fan favorite ever since it first aired, and its cult status continues to grow. For those looking for a charming, genuinely funny sitcom filled with incredible performances from some of England's finest actors, Vicious is a must-watch.

Vicious is a series that ran for 3 seasons (14 episodes) between June 29, 2014 and on PBS