British Comedy Guide
The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff. Image shows from L to R: Victoria Secret-Past (Ambra Lily Keegan), Conceptiva Secret-Past (Katherine Parkinson), Jedrington Secret-Past (Robert Webb), Victor Secret-Past (Finlay Christie). Copyright: BBC
The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff

The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 2011 - 2012
  • 4 episodes (1 series)

Ridiculous Dickensian adventure from the writer and producer of Radio 4's hit sitcom Bleak Expectations. Stars Robert Webb, Katherine Parkinson, Tim McInnerny, Sarah Hadland, Kevin Eldon and more.

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Episode menu

Christmas Special

The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff. Image shows from L to R: Malifax Skulkingworm (Stephen Fry), Victoria Secret-Past (Ambra Lily Keegan), Maggoty (Pauline McLynn), Conceptiva Secret-Past (Katherine Parkinson), Jedrington Secret-Past (Robert Webb), Victor Secret-Past (Finlay Christie), Jolliforth Jollington (David Mitchell). Copyright: BBC
Jedrington's family is incarcerated by evil lawyer Skulkingworm in London's infamous prison The Skint, until they can repay a mysterious and vast debt. Will Jedrington rescue his family in time for Christmas or lose them forever? And is there more to the name Secret-Past than meets the eye?

Preview clips

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 19th December 2011
Time
8:30pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Robert Webb Jedrington Secret-Past
Katherine Parkinson Conceptiva Secret-Past
Ambra Lily Keegan Victoria Secret-Past
Finlay Christie Victor Secret-Past
David Mitchell Jolliforth Jollington
Guest cast
Pauline McLynn Maggoty
Johnny Vegas The Artful Codger
Celia Imrie Miss Christmasham
Joshua McGuire Fearshiver
Stephen Fry Malifax Skulkingworm
Sidney Johnston Urchin
Terrence Hardiman Martin Christmasham
Richard Johnson Uncle Writes Prompt Thank You Cards
Una Stubbs Aunt Good Spelling
Judy Parfitt Aunt Chastity
Phyllida Law Aunt Sobriety
Calum MacPherson Lumbering Geoff
Jude Wright Archie
Ellie Hopkins Urchin
Lee Simmonds Urchin
Bailey Pepper Urchin
Hector McCormick Date-And-Time Boy
Colin Hoult Customer
Joanna Neary Lady Spendlots
Mark Evans The Vicar of St. Weddings
Abigail Burdess Skulkingworm's Mother
Dominic Coleman Policeman
Dave Lamb Ghost of Christmas Past
Gus Brown Well To Do Man
Freddie Rogers Young Skulkingworm
Aimee Parkes Young Miss Christmasham
Writing team
Mark Evans Writer
Production team
Ben Gosling Fuller Director
Gareth Edwards Producer
Mark Freeland Executive Producer
Ben Blaine Editor
Chris Blaine Editor
Dennis De Groot Production Designer
Grant Olding Composer

Videos

Poison Port

Malifax Skulkingworm concludes his business with Jedrington Secret-Past over a lovely a glass of poison port.

Featuring: Stephen Fry (Malifax Skulkingworm), Joshua McGuire (Fearshiver) & Robert Webb (Jedrington Secret-Past).

The Skint

Mister Jolliforth Jollington offers to show the Secret-Past family around The Skint prison...

Featuring: Finlay Christie (Victor Secret-Past), Ambra Lily Keegan (Victoria Secret-Past), David Mitchell (Jolliforth Jollington) & Katherine Parkinson (Conceptiva Secret-Past).

The Secret-Past Family Christmas

Jedrington Secret-Past and his family look forward to a traditional Victorian Christmas.

Featuring: Finlay Christie (Victor Secret-Past), Ambra Lily Keegan (Victoria Secret-Past), Katherine Parkinson (Conceptiva Secret-Past) & Robert Webb (Jedrington Secret-Past).

'The Making Of' Red Button Extra

From the Red Button, a behind the scenes look at The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff which reveals how the programme is part of a unique experiment. It is apparently the first television programme in over one hundred and seventeen years to be made using traditional Victorian television making techniques.

Featuring: Finlay Christie (Victor Secret-Past), Stephen Fry (Malifax Skulkingworm), Ambra Lily Keegan (Victoria Secret-Past), David Mitchell (Jolliforth Jollington), Katherine Parkinson (Conceptiva Secret-Past), Robert Webb (Jedrington Secret-Past), Calum MacPherson (Lumbering Geoff), Gareth Edwards & Mark Evans.

Press

12 Days of Christmas Specials 3: The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff

This all star Christmas special was a spin off of Radio 4 favourite, Bleak Expectations and it's a show that you need to add to your Christmas watch list!

Rhianna Evans, The Comedy Blog, 16th December 2019

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