Brassic

For the medical dressing, see Boracic lint.

Brassic
Genre
Created by
Written by
  • Danny Brocklehurst
  • Alex Ganley
  • Danielle Ward
  • Ava Pickett
  • Tom Melia
Directed by
Starring
ComposerChristoph Bauschinger
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series6
No. of episodes44 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Danny Brocklehurst
  • Joe Gilgun
  • David Livingstone
  • Jon Mountague
Producers
  • Juliet Charlesworth
  • Mike Noble
  • Jim Poyser
Cinematography
  • Richard Stoddard
  • Alex Veitch
Editors
  • Rachel Hoult
  • Annie Kocur
Running time39–71 minutes
Production companyCalamity Films
Original release
Network
Release22 August 2019 (2019-08-22) –
present (present)

Brassic is a British comedy-drama television series created by Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst for Sky One. The series follows the lives of Vinnie O'Neill (Gilgun) and his friends in the fictional town of Hawley. Other primary cast members include Michelle Keegan, Damien Molony, Tom Hanson, Aaron Heffernan, Ryan Sampson, Parth Thakerar and Steve Evets.

The first series premiered on 22 August 2019. Starting with the third series, following the shutdown of Sky One, the show was moved to Sky Max. The sixth series premiered on 26 September 2024. In June 2024, the show was renewed for a seventh series, making it the joint longest-running scripted series on Sky alongside Trollied.

The title Brassic is the colloquial pronunciation of "boracic" as in boracic lint, a medical dressing, the name of which is Cockney rhyming slang for "skint" (i.e. having no money).

Plot

[edit]

Brassic follows the lives of Vinnie O'Neill and his friends as they live their lives in the fictional northern English town of Hawley. The group commits various petty crimes to keep money in their pockets, but as they get older some of them start to wonder if there's more to life away from the town.[1]

Cast and characters

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Main

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  • Joe Gilgun as Vincent "Vinnie" O'Neill: A disturbed man, Vinnie struggles with bipolar disorder and is plagued by his miserable childhood. The combination of rural solitude and his firm friendship with Dylan and Erin, helps Vinnie cope with life. He is quick-witted, confident with an eccentric intensity, and has a great depth of compassion towards others. He forms a criminal gang with his friends and regularly visits his general practitioner, Dr. Chris Coxley, who doesn't exactly provide him with the help he is looking for. A young Vinnie O'Neill is portrayed by Zack Pierce (guest series 1–4), Ben Hackett (guest series 2), and Reuven Walker (guest series 6) during flashbacks.
  • Michelle Keegan as Erin Croft: Open-minded, fiery, and attractive, her unhappy childhood led to a wild child phase in her teenage years that left her alone and pregnant at a young age. Whilst she has a soft spot for Vinnie and the gang, she is aware that their presence is holding her back from her long-term plans. A young Erin Croft is portrayed by Chloe Anais Hunt during flashbacks (guest series 5).
  • Damien Molony as Dylan Golding (series 1–4; guest series 5): Vinnie's best friend and Erin's boyfriend who is knowledgeable and skillful at poker. Vinnie is like a brother to Dylan and the one person who truly understands him, often relying on Dylan to help the gang pull off jobs. A young Dylan Golding is portrayed by Joseph Riley (guest series 2) and George Kent (guest series 6) during flashbacks.
  • Tom Hanson as Leslie "Cardi" Titt: The "nice guy", who the gang affectionately calls "Cardi" (short for cardiac arrest) due to his obesity and unhealthy diet. He is from a big estate family and when his parents kicked him out, he moved into a flat above a kebab shop. Cardi is insecure and body-conscious and has been bullied about his weight and stuttering but finds comfort in his pet pigeon, Nigel. His role in the gang is that of a runner: fetching gear, and dropping things off.
  • Aaron Heffernan as Ashley "Ash" Dennings: Having grown up on a traveller site on the outskirts of Hawley he comes from a proud fighting family and, raised by his strict mother, he can switch to extreme violence in seconds, which makes him handy to have around as the muscle in the gang. While Ash is openly gay to the group, he chooses to hide his true sexuality from his family. The boys know his struggles and Ash and Vinnie have boxed together for years. He finds solace in having mates who accept him completely and it is with the lads that he feels most comfortable.
  • Ryan Sampson as Thomas "Tommo" Schaffner: A loner but very content with his lifestyle, Tommo has no family and is happiest when he is taking part in various sexual activities. Turning his passion into a business, he makes money holding secret S&M nights for rich local businessmen, barristers, and brigadiers. Tommo is a free spirit: he does what he wants, when he wants, and is the wild card of the gang, making him unpredictable. A young Tommo Schaffner is portrayed by Alfie Corbett during flashbacks (guest series 5).
  • Parth Thakerar as Jehan "JJ" Jovani: The owner of a motor workshop whose place in the gang is cemented as the fixer and technician of the group. From a small British Asian family, JJ's older brothers went into medicine and law but JJ takes after his father who is the black sheep of the family.
  • Steve Evets as Farmer Jim: A local farmer based near Hawley who allows Vinnie to grow his cannabis plants in an underground bunker at his farm and helps the gang with many of their escapades.
  • Ruth Sheen as Kath (series 1): The pub landlady of The Crows Nest that the gang frequents. She is very sociable, having known them all for years, and is aware of everyone's issues.
  • Anthony Welsh as Jake (series 1–2): A classmate of Erin's at college, he shows an interest in her, despite her ongoing relationship and son.
  • Dominic West as Dr. Christopher "Chris" Coxley: Vinnie's general practitioner who he ends up developing a close bond with. In reality, he does not offer Vinnie any constructive advice though the pair agree to help mentor each other, as Chris also reveals his obsession with other people's knees.
  • Ramon Tikaram as Terence McCann (series 2–3; recurring series 1, 6; guest series 5): A local career criminal and businessman who Vinnie steals from.
  • Bronagh Gallagher as Carol Dennings (series 2–present; guest series 1): Ash's older sister who shows an interest in Cardi after joining Vinnie's gang.
  • Tadhg Murphy as Gary Cullen (series 3–4; guest series 1–2, 5): The local Hawley undertaker who has an artificial eye and collects unique body parts from corpses.
  • India Mullen as Samantha (series 3): A barmaid who becomes close with Vinnie.
  • Joanna Higson as Mary "Sugar" Jones (series 4–present; recurring series 2–3; guest series 1): A former stripper and Erin's best friend, who initially manages a strip club with her, The Rat & Cutter, before joining Vinnie's gang.
  • Neil Ashton as David "Davey" MacDonagh (series 5–present; recurring series 4; guest series 3): A career criminal who forms a rivalry with Vinnie, hoping to take over his cannabis business.
  • Rachid Sabitri as Mustaffa "Manolito" Calvo (series 5–6; guest series 4): A drug lord with an online cannabis distribution network and a collector of exotic animals who forms a partnership with the MacDonaghs.
  • Bhavna Limbachia as Meena (series 5–present; guest series 4): JJ's cousin who initially hires him to steal flowers for her wedding and later joins Vinnie's gang.
  • Muzz Khan as Adyan Khan (series 5): A petty criminal who seeks out Vinnie's gang with a job proposition, and later joins them.
  • Camille Cottin as Fiona Frank (series 5): A psychotherapist who Vinnie is referred to by Dr. Coxley to help with his declining mental health.
  • Greg Davies as Richard "Dick" Dolphin (A Very Brassic Christmas): The owner of a Winter Wonderland tourist attraction and one of Edie's former theatre students.
  • Imelda Staunton as Edie (A Very Brassic Christmas): Dr. Coxley's elderly aunt whom Vinnie is charged with caring for over Christmas.
  • Dean Lennox Kelly as Curtis Plum (series 6; guest series 5): An eccentric ratcatcher with a severe hoarding disorder who is hired by Vinnie's gang.

Recurring

[edit]
  • Jude Riordan as Tyler Croft (series 1–3, 5; guest series 4, 6): Erin and Vinnie's son, who was conceived after a drunken one-night stand.
  • Tim Dantay as Vinnie's Dad (series 1–2; guest series 4): Vinnie's unnamed alcoholic drifter father.
  • Neil Fitzmaurice as Mr. Bishop (series 1; guest series 2–4): One of Tommo's clients who often clashes with his ex-wife, who both hire Vinnie's gang to sabotage each other.
  • Debbie Rush as Daffne Bishop (series 1; guest series 3, 5): Mr. Bishop's ex-wife who hires Vinnie's gang to get revenge against her ex-husband.
  • Archie Kelly as Shirley "Goldilocks" Paslowski (series 2, 4, 6; guest series 1, 3, 5): A Polish farmer and Jim's neighbour who is commonly referred to as "Goldilocks" for his long blonde hair.
  • Claude Scott-Mitchell as Sara (series 2): Dylan's girlfriend after he ends his relationship with Erin.
  • Oliver Wellington as Aaron (series 2): Jake's brother who takes an unhealthy interest in Erin.
  • John Weaver as Carl Slater (series 3; guest series 1–2, 5–6): A police officer, and later Detective Inspector, who has been Vinnie's arch-enemy since their childhood and is obsessed with exposing his criminal activities. Oliver Akers portrays a young Carl Slater during flashbacks (guest series 2).
  • Chris Lew Kum Hoi as Hoskins (series 3): A detective who works with Carl during his investigation of Vinnie's gang.
  • Steve Garti as Chinese Dan (series 3; guest series 2, 4–5): A criminal fence who buys or sells stolen goods to Vinnie's gang.
  • Amit Dhut as Calvin (series 4; guest series 2–3, 5): Dan's enforcer who helps him buy and sell stolen goods.
  • Greg Wood as Barry MacDonagh (series 4; guest series 3, 5): Davey's silent but intimidating brother who works with him against Vinnie's gang.
  • Carl Rice as Ronnie Croft (series 5; guest series 1–3): Erin's estranged criminal brother who escapes from prison. Despite promising his sister that he would reform, he continues to lie compulsively and get into trouble. A young Ronnie Croft is portrayed by Billy Winter during flashbacks (guest series 5).
  • Juliet Cowan as Elizabeth "Liz" Jones (series 5–present; guest series 3): Sugar's alcoholic Mother. Seeking to reconnect with her daughter, she becomes a bartender at The Crows Nest.
  • Samantha Power as Donna MacDonagh (series 5–present): Davey and Barry's sister who joins their criminal operation after she's released from prison.
  • Darren Cahill as Mick Dennings (series 6; guest series series 1–3): One of Ash and Carol's brothers.
  • Gerard Jordan as Niall Dennings (series 6; guest series series 1–3): Ash and Carol's other brother.

Episodes

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Main article: List of Brassic episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1622 August 2019 (2019-08-22)19 September 2019 (2019-09-19)
267 May 2020 (2020-05-07)11 June 2020 (2020-06-11)
386 October 2021 (2021-10-06)24 November 2021 (2021-11-24)
487 September 2022 (2022-09-07)26 October 2022 (2022-10-26)
5828 September 2023 (2023-09-28)16 November 2023 (2023-11-16)
Special21 December 2023 (2023-12-21)
6726 September 2024 (2024-09-26)7 November 2024 (2024-11-07)

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Joseph Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst devised a new comedy television series for Sky One, entitled Brassic, in which Gilgun would portray the lead role whereas Brocklehurst would write the episodes' stories and scripts.[2] It began broadcasting in the United Kingdom on 22 August 2019, with the first series consisting of six episodes, broadcast on a weekly basis.[1] Prior to the first episode being aired, the programme was automatically recommissioned for a second series, with producers optimistic that it would be critically reviewed in a positive manner.[3] They were correct, with many critics praising the series for its comedic and dramatic tone; the first series ended its run on 19 September.[4]

On 24 April 2020, Sky released the second series' trailer, confirming that it would begin broadcasting on 7 May that year.[5] It was confirmed that it would also broadcast six episodes with all of them becoming available to be streamed through NOW TV from its premiere date, though would officially be broadcast on a weekly basis through Sky.[6] Prior to series 2 commencing its broadcast, Sky recommissioned the series for an expanded third series, consisting of eight episodes; a projected release date was not disclosed.[7]

Casting

[edit]

After Gilgun was announced as the series lead, Michelle Keegan, Damien Molony, Tom Hanson, Aaron Heffernan, Ryan Sampson and Parth Thakerar joined the cast in fellow main character roles.[8] The characters include Vincent "Vinnie" O'Neill (Gilgun), Erin Croft (Keegan), Dylan (Molony), "Cardi" (Hanson), Ash (Heffernan), Tommo (Sampson) and JJ (Thakerar), whereas Dominic West and Bronagh Gallagher also portrayed assisting roles throughout the series, starring as Doctor Chris Cox and Carol, respectively.[9][10][11]

For series 2, Claude Scott-Mitchell joined the cast in the role of Sara, a new romance for Maloney's character. All series 1 cast members reprised their roles, with John Thomson and Bill Paterson also joining the cast as newcomers. West also reprised his role, now portraying a more regular character.

Filming

[edit]
The programme's setting is based on Joe Gilgun's hometown of Chorley.

The programme is set in the fictional town of Hawley, which is inspired by Gilgun's experience of growing up in Chorley.[12] Regarding the setting, location manager Jonathan Davies stated, "We were given the scripts and a few of us had a meeting with Joe [Gilgun] to talk through the feel and look of the show and to talk about which direction to go in. It's a very collaborative process to build a world that fits with the story and script. People want to feel like they're being transported into that real world of Brassic."[12]

The first two series of Brassic were filmed in the Lancashire town of Bacup.[12] Filming of the first series began in September 2018, with a fan tweeting, "As if Michelle Keegan is filming in Bacup, love her".[12] The filming location surprised locals, as not many were informed about the programme filming there and who the cast members were, with one local stating, "There were quite a few people including myself watching and it was causing a few traffic problems as people kept stopping. Michelle Keegan was there surrounded by security guards and there was a Mercedes van ready to take her away when she was done".[12] Further filming locations included some scenes being filmed in Bolton, the Crows Nest pub scenes are filmed in The Star and Garter public house near Manchester Piccadilly station whereas the inaugural episode's notable car-chase opening scene was shot in West Yorkshire.[12] Yacht journey was filmed at the sea near Llandudno.[13]

On the day of the programme's premiere, Gilgun revealed that filming for the second series had already begun prior to the first series airing, with them supposedly having a previously confidential agreement with Sky weeks before. Filming continued through the entire autumn of 2019, with all previous filming locations from series 1 continuing, and locations also expanding across the North West of England.

Gilgun revealed in an interview that the cast and crew had caused controversy during filming, when they were "kicked out" of a circus after a single day of filming, which resulted in the crew having to film the remaining scenes in a car park; Gilgun later stated that the circus were unaware of the number of cast and crew that the production team were going to bring.[14]

Marketing

[edit]

The first series' trailer was released by Sky One on 13 August 2019, which included minor clips containing comedic scenes from a variety of episodes and confirmed its release date of 22 August; this trailer was continuously shown on all Sky platforms in the days prior to its premiere.[15]

On 24 April 2020, Sky began to screen the second series' trailer, once again briefly showing clips for the new series and confirming its premiere date of 7 May.[5]

Release

[edit]

The first series consists of six episodes and premiered on 22 August 2019.

Before the first series had aired, it was announced that the show had been renewed for a second series, which premiered on 7 May 2020.[3]

In February 2020, the show was renewed for an expanded third series consisting of eight episodes;[7] which premiered on 6 October 2021 having moved to Sky Max following the shutdown of Sky One.[16]

In August 2021, the show was renewed for a fourth series which premiered on 7 September 2022.[17]

In August 2022, the show was renewed for a fifth series[18] which premiered on 28 September 2023,[19] and was followed by a Christmas special titled A Very Brassic Christmas on 21 December 2023.[20]

In April 2023, the show was renewed for a sixth series,[21] which premiered on 26 September 2024.[22]

In June 2024, the show was renewed for a seventh series, making it the joint longest-running scripted series on Sky alongside Trollied.[23]

International broadcast

[edit]

Internationally, the show has been aired in France, from 16 September 2019; Spain, from 24 September 2019 through streaming; Germany, from 1 January 2020 through streaming; Australia from 25 February 2020, Canada, Russia and the United States.[24] In Russia, the show is titled as Голяк.[24]

In August 2024, the first four series were released on Netflix.[25]

Home media

[edit]

All episodes are available to be viewed through the Sky Go and Amazon Video apps.[26] The entire boxset is also available on NOW TV and Virgin Media in the United Kingdom.[27] On 31 July 2020 all episodes became available in the U.S. via Hulu.[28]

On 27 August 2019, it was announced that the complete first series would release to DVD on 30 September.[27]

Reception

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Critical response

[edit]

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian, reviewing the series, gave it four out of five stars, saying: "It is a hilarious, warm, brutal melange that works because it has heart without sentimentality and authenticity without strain."[4]

Creator and lead actor Joseph Gilgun has been praised for his performance as Vinnie O'Neill, with review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes commenting, "Joseph Gilgun is wonderfully expressive as Vinnie, his volatile features continually scrunching together and apart like the top of a drawstring bag."[29]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2019 RTS Craft & Design Awards Costume Design - Entertainment & Non Drama Orla Smyth-Mill Nominated [30]
Picture Enhancement Matt Brown Won
2020 RTS Programme Awards Writer - Comedy Danny Brocklehurst Nominated [31]
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards Best TV Situation Comedy Won [32]
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Comedy Brassic Nominated [33]
TV Choice Awards Best Comedy Brassic Nominated
RTS Craft & Design Awards Design - Titles Titles Team Nominated [34]
2021 RTS Programme Awards Comedy Series Brassic Nominated [35]
RTS North West Awards Best Performance in a Comedy Joseph Gilgun Won [36]
BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Nominated [37]
2022 BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Joseph Gilgun Nominated [38]
2023 RTS Programme Awards Comedy drama Series Brassic Won [39]
BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Joseph Gilgun Nominated [40]
2024 BAFTA TV Awards Male Performance in a Comedy Programme Joseph Gilgun Nominated [41]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "When is Michelle Keegan's new comedy Brassic released on Sky?". Metro. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  2. ^ "New comedy Brassic coming to Sky". UK Air Dates. 22 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b Westbrook, Caroline (28 August 2019). "Will there be a series 2 of Michelle Keegan's Brassic and how can you watch the first series?". Metro. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Brassic review – a tale of northern ne'er-do-wells with humour and heart to spare". The Guardian. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Sky One Releases Trailer For 'Brassic' Season 2". TV Wise. 4 April 2020. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Brassic series 2 air date confirmed as hit Sky comedy returns". TellyMix. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Brassic renewed for season 3 by Sky One before the second has aired". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Brassic (TV Series 2019–) – Full Cast & Crew". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  9. ^ "When is Brassic on TV? Who is in the cast and what is it about?". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Brassic: Michelle Keegan and Joe Gilgun star in first-look trailer for 'edgy' new comedy". Sky News. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Brassic cast and crew credits – British Comedy Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Where is Sky One's Michelle Keegan comedy Brassic filmed?". Metro News. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Where Filmed - Brassic 2019". wherefilmed.org. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  14. ^ "'Filming in a circus was crazy!' Joe Gilgun reveals what's in store as comedy drama Brassic returns". What's on TV. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Brassic TV series trailer". Sky News. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  16. ^ "Brassic season 3 release date: Cast, trailer, plot and latest news". Radio Times. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Brassic season 4 release date: Cast, trailer and latest news". 18 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  18. ^ "More laughs than ever on Sky as Brassic returns for Series 5, plus new images revealed as Series 4 launches on 7 September". Sky Group. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Brassic gets season 5 trailer as Call My Agent star joins cast". Radio Times. 26 August 2023.
  20. ^ "A Very Brassic Christmas gets release date on Sky Max". Radio Times. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Sky recommissions Brassic and Rob & Romesh Vs for 6th series". British Comedy Guide. 6 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Michelle Keegan's returning hit comedy confirms release date". Yahoo News. 9 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Brassic returning for a record-equalling 7th series on Sky Max". British Comedy Guide. 17 June 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Brassic (TV Series 2019–) – Release Info". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  25. ^ "'Masterpiece' British comedy TV series drops on Netflix and fans are ecstatic". Metro. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Watch Brassic Series 1". Prime Video. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  27. ^ a b "BRASSIC LATEST! Series 2 filming begins & Series 1 DVD released September – pre-order now!". Damien Molony Forum. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  28. ^ Casey, Henry T. (30 July 2020). "How to watch Brassic online: Hulu US release date for UK comedy series". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Brassic: Series 1 – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  30. ^ "CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2019". Royal Television Society. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  31. ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2020 in partnership with Audio Network". Royal Television Society. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  32. ^ "News: Award Nominations For Home, Brassic, Derry Girls & More". Beyond The Joke. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Comedies up for Broadcasting Press Guild Awards". Comedy.co.uk. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  34. ^ "CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2020". Royal Television Society. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  35. ^ "Winners of the RTS Programme Awards 2021 announced". Royal Television Society. 16 March 2021.
  36. ^ "The winners for the RTS North West Awards 2020/2021". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  37. ^ "BAFTA TV 2021: The Winners and Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  38. ^ "BAFTA TV 2022: The Winners of the 2022 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and the British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Winners of the RTS Programme Awards 2023 announced". Royal Television Society. 28 March 2023.
  40. ^ "BAFTA TV 2023: The 2023 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises and BAFTA Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  41. ^ "BAFTA TV 2024: The nominations for the 2024 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises and BAFTA Television Craft Awards". BAFTA Television. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
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