Quacks
- TV sitcom
- BBC Two
- 2017
- 6 episodes (1 series)
Sitcom about Victorian medical pioneers, created by Rev writer James Wood. Also features Rory Kinnear, Mathew Baynton, Tom Basden, Lydia Leonard, Rupert Everett and more.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 3 - Third. The Madman's Trial
Further details
William has a patient, Harold, with extreme monomania - he seems sane other than his fervent belief that he will be seized by spies at any moment and put on trial for being a French noble. With John, Robert and Caroline's help, William concocts a daring plan to cure Harold of his delusion by staging the trial and 'acquitting' him.
Meanwhile, Caroline is determined to advance her medical knowledge, even if it means sneaking into a male-only lecture, and John's debts leave him in desperate need to make money - by fair means or quackery.
Robert looks to advance his reputation by securing the backing of a wealthy female patron, Lady Campbell. But it turns out Lady Campbell is interested in more than just the contents of Robert's kit bag, and his 'special relationship' with Campbell is threatened when Caroline catches Robert in a compromising situation.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Tuesday 29th August 2017
- Time
- 10pm
- Channel
- BBC Two
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
| Rory Kinnear | Robert |
| Mathew Baynton | William |
| Tom Basden | John |
| Lydia Leonard | Caroline |
| Geoffrey McGivern | Landlord |
| Ed Gaughan | Peters |
| Osi Okerafor | Butterworth |
| Fenella Woolgar | Lady Campbell |
| Jamie Demetriou | Harold |
| Steve Brody | Membership Officer |
| John Ramm | Mr Burton |
| Logan Wong | Mr Siu |
| Simon Farnaby | Dr Flowers |
| Timothy Bentinck (as Tim Bentinck) | Dr King |
| Miles Jupp | Dr George Combe |
| Edmund Digby-Jones | Dr Edward Hopkins |
| Mathew Baynton | Writer |
| Andy de Emmony | Director |
| Imogen Cooper | Producer |
| Justin Davies | Executive Producer |
| James Wood | Executive Producer |
| Rachel Hillman | Executive Producer |
| Ben Worsfield | Co-producer |
| Robin Peters | Editor |
| Lucy Spink | Production Designer |
| Rachel Freck | Casting Director |
| Richard Cooke | Costume Designer |
| Ed Rutherford | Director of Photography |
| Niamh Morrison | Make-up Designer |
| Ian Arber | Composer |
| Matthew Scrivener | 1st Assistant Director |
Video
The fake trial
William attempts to cure his patient Harold, of his monomania, by staging a fake trial.
Featuring: Rory Kinnear (Robert), Mathew Baynton (William), Tom Basden (John), Lydia Leonard (Caroline), Ed Gaughan (Peters) & Jamie Demetriou (Harold).
Press
The Victorian medical sitcom continues, with down-at-heel dentist John's largest creditor coming a-knocking. Elsewhere, Robert's attempts to climb the buttery social ladder founder without patronage from some loftier social strata, but moneyed misanthrope Lady Campbell might just offer a path to social betterment. And a put-upon Caroline aims to outsmart the patriarchal poltroons who pull the strings at the society of apothecaries.
Mark Gibbings-Jones, The Guardian, 29th August 2017