Detectorists

Mackenzie Crook's understated comedy Detectorists sees he and Toby Jones play metal detector enthusiasts whose finds rarely amount to more than a vintage biscuit wrapper ("mint Viscount, '75") or ring-pulls ("'83 Tizer"). As you might expect from an actor who graduated from The Office, there is a hint of Ricky Gervais in the writing, most notably in Jones's delusional loser Lance, but there's no cruelty. Mostly, the humour is located in boredom, though there is a good joke about Fiona Bruce and a brief turn by an agreeably eccentric farmer, who seems to have wandered in from Withnail & I.

There's an oddly inviting melancholy to this new sitcom, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook, and starring him and Toby Jones as two unlikely friends with a mutual love of metal detecting. Despite an almost parodically dull premise - we join the pair on a series of unfruitful detecting jaunts - the careful performances and conscientious restraint of the script mean the world of metal detecting, hardwired with self-delusion and slowly corrosive hope as it is, soon reveals itself to be a poignant microcosm of life itself.

Radio Times review

"Ringpull... '83... Tizer." It's another disappointing discovery for metal detectorists Andy and Lance. And yet this new six-parter proves that a sitcom needn't be about Big Issues to work its magic.

When they're not buzzing around ploughed fields, or listening to lectures on buttons, this Poundland Time Team is optimistically plotting the future unearthing of a Saxon hoard. They're like a more likeable version of The Fast Show's nerdy Offroaders. Andy (Mackenzie Crook, who also writes and directs) is a cleaner in a long-term relationship with tolerant Becky (Rachael Stirling); his friend Lance (Toby Jones) is a forklifter taken advantage of by his ex, Mags (Lucy Benjamin).

Into their provincial world wanders history student Sophie - destined, you feel, to shake things up a bit. She's played by Aimée-Ffion Edwards, unrecognisable from her turn in Sky1's Walking and Talking.

Detectorists is low-key and rambling, but warm, richly observed and gorgeously filmed. Already it feels like a glittering comedy find.

Detectorists is bleeping good comedy

It's a slow burner of a series, but one where you'll slowly get to know the characters who are bound to get under your skin.

Mackenzie Crook interview

Mackenzie Crook talks coin collecting, highbrow comedy and why he won't be back for The Office spin-off, Life on the Road.

Mackenzie Crook: 'I've had to learn to speak up'

Mackenzie Crook talks about Detectorists, his affectionate BBC Four sitcom which salutes the male hobby.

Detectorists: The treasure hunters digging up a fortune

A new BBC comedy revolving around the bizarre world of metal detecting starts tomorrow and has already divided the nation's enthusiasts.

TV preview: Detectorists, BBC4

The tone is so understated it is almost hard to call this a comedy, but in the first scene-setting episode one can see the makings of a lively comic narrative.

Tony Jones interview

The Detectorists star Toby Jones, 48, talks betrayal, guilt - and what happened when he met Bruce Springsteen.

Mackenzie Crook on Detectorists

Whether or not you find the pastime interesting, the idea is intriguing. In the past few months, when telling people what I've been working on, the reaction has been strangely positive.