About The Great Outdoors
Going for a nice walk in the British countryside: millions of people do it. It should be the simplest thing in the world, but for the Mid-Bucks Walking Club it never is. The Great Outdoors is a three-part comedy which follows the hikes, heartaches, friendships and rivalries of the misfit rambling club. There are lovely views, stolen kisses, packed lunches... and punch-ups. The show's stars include Mark Heap, Ruth Jones, Steve Edge and Katherine Parkinson.
At the heart of the show is Bob, the vain, deluded, tragic-comic organiser of the rambling group. Over the course of the series Bob battles to keep his place from newcomer Christine, who is determined to jump into his boots and steal his best friend Tom.
While mud flies between Bob and Christine, he is also trying to come to terms with the love-life of his 18-year-old daughter Hazel, and Victor, a chess-loving geek. Although Victor only has eyes for Hazel, he finds himself the focus of the attentions of 30-something Sophie, a stressed-out businesswoman seeking to escape her claustrophobic marriage to Joe, a charming yet manipulative freeloader.
Each episode follows a single one-day walk as the misfit group heads off on a new adventure across the British countryside and, as they do so, their intertwined lives become more complicated, resulting in a true fight for survival.
For Bob and Christine, each at a crossroads in their life, a small thing like a walking club can take on epic importance. Every episode of The Great Outdoors is a voyage of personal discovery - like a miniature road movie, but with sturdy footwear instead of a car.
Executive Producer Paul Schlesinger says: "Rambling is such a great British institution. It's a brilliant subject for a character comedy. And what's really exciting is that with Ruth Jones and Mark Heap we have two of the best comedy actors around at the centre of it."
The Great Outdoors is shot on a handheld camera to offer viewers the virtual experience of walking alongside the characters, without having to leave the comfort of their armchairs.
