British Comedy Guide
Yonderland. Debbie Maddox (Martha Howe-Douglas). Copyright: Working Title Films
Martha Howe-Douglas

Martha Howe-Douglas

  • 44 years old
  • English
  • Actor and writer

Press clippings Page 7

Original Horrible Histories team become Ghosts

BBC One has announced a new sitcom about a group of ghosts, created, written by and starring the original Horrible Histories group of leads, Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond.

British Comedy Guide, 19th June 2018

Yonderland ends after three series

The creators of Sky 1's fantasy comedy series Yonderland have revealed the show won't return. The stars have thanked the show's fans for tuning in to the three series.

British Comedy Guide, 17th February 2017

It's not just Christmas Eve, but also the night before Thanktival in the superbly entertaining world of Yonderland. In a twist that could well give children nightmares, the festive joy is threatened by a present-eating monster called Chompus. Can mum Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) come to the rescue? Perfect family viewing for a cosy Christmas Eve, with added monsters and enough subtlety to keep both parents as happy as their kids.

Hannah Verdier, The Guardian, 24th December 2016

Yonderland series 3 episode 7 review: Miss Smashing

It's the penultimate episode of Yonderland series 3 and we're finally getting some answers to what Cuddly Dick is getting up to...

Rachel Meaden, Den Of Geek, 27th November 2016

Yonderland review: series 3, episode 6

An unfortunate portal mishap makes for an especially interesting open house in this instalment of the always giggle-inducing Yonderland, as Debbie discovers she's inadvertently swapped bodies with Elf.

Sami Kelsh, Cult Box, 22nd November 2016

Yonderland series 3 episode 6 review: Swapsies

The brilliant Yonderland delves into the Debbie/Elf relationship this week with a body swap episode...

Rachel Meaden, Den Of Geek, 21st November 2016

Yonderland series 3 episode 1 review: A Rising Tide

After a promising first series and a confident second, Yonderland has returned for a third and begins by posing the question, 'do you need a Chosen One after the evil has gone?'

Rachel Meaden, Den Of Geek, 16th October 2016

As a fan of the odd blend of puppetry and Monty Python-esque humour that series one delivered, I was glad to see Yonderland return for a second series. For those who missed the series the first time round, Yonderland is brought to us by the same team behind Horrible Histories. The first series saw ordinary housewife Debbie Maddox (Martha Howe-Douglas) transported to the eponymous fantasy land of the title as she was heralded as the person charged with bringing down the evil Negatus (Simon Farnaby). The double bill that Sky One aired on Monday night suggested that not much has changed as the tone of the show remains much the same. However the writing team has introduced a new villain in the form of Debbie's mortal enemy Imperatrix who is even more intent on destruction that the slightly campy Negatus. In the style of Monty Python each cast member plays multiple roles, some of which are recurring whilst others only feature in one episode. This to me adds a sketch show element to Yonderland which I quite enjoy and it seems that all the male members of the cast revel in portraying a number of outlandish characters. What the writing team has also nailed is how to deliver a successful family show with sight gags that appeal to the youngsters and more subtle lines that the adults will understand. In order to further entertain younger viewers, each episode ends with a moral message of sorts as Debbie is able to solve one minor problem in Yonderland before returning to her own home. There was also plenty of nice little parodies throughout the double bill, especially in the second episode where Negatus received an Ofsted inspection while Debbie worked with a detective who had a hint of Poirot about him. Although it's not exactly highbrow, Yonderland is a gloriously silly programme that doesn't take itself too seriously but at the same time it's clear that the writing team have worked hard to create a comedy that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Matt, The Custard TV, 19th July 2015

A second series of what amounts to a vast dressing-up box for the former stars of Horrible Histories. Patient, practical Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas) continues to straddle two lives: mundane housewifery in Birmingham and troubleshooting in the magical realm she accesses through a portal in her cupboard. The one-shot spoofs and sly pop culture references are underpinned by scripts with classic comedy chops, performed by a cast who have the talent to fill this canvas with colour.

Jack Seale, The Guardian, 13th July 2015

Radio Times review

There's pure joy in a well-pitched family comedy, and Yonderland was a particularly good one. Set in a magic realm where puppets mix with eccentric humanoids, it was Labyrinth meets Life of Brian: the cast of Horrible Histories playing hundreds of fabulous, usually incompetent figures posing puzzles for Debbie (Martha Howe-Douglas), a housewife who's stepped through a portal in the pantry. Characters tended to appear once when they could each have had their own series; this gang have so many ideas and such skill in executing them that, in the long term, Python comparisons might not be out of place.

Radio Times, 26th December 2013

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