VICIOUS (2013 - 2016)

 

Created by: Mark Ravenhill, Gary Janetti

Starring: Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi, Iwan Rheon, Frances de la Tour, Marcia Warren, Philip Voss, Christopher Villiers, Jonathan Readwin, Stephen Hoo, Bo Poraj, Georgina Beedle, Aysha Kala, Joshua Miles, Sam Swann, Alexandra Roach, Hazel Douglas, Simon Fisher-Becker, Georgia King, Celia Imrie, Gus Fontaine, Katrina Durden, Jack Ashton, Geoffrey McGivern, George Layton, Nigel Pegram, James Greene, Larrington Walker, Philip Anthony, Edmund Kente, George Admiraal, Anthony Edridge, Samuel Barnett, Luke Treadaway, Joan Linder, Michael Cochrane, Lily Frazer, Elizabeth Edmonds, Mark Davison, Alwyne Taylor, Richard Gadd, Alistair Brammer, Eileen Atkins, Frances Barber

14 episodes

(TV-MA - strong language, adult themes, adult situations)

PLOT:

Freddie Thornhill and Stuart Bixby are an old gay couple who have been together for nearly fifty years. Their lives now revolve around entertaining their frequent guests and hurling insults at each other at every opportunity.

season 1 - 

Freddie and Stuart host a wake to mark the passing of an old friend. Joined by their small circle of elderly friends, the couple manage to create a splendidly awkward evening of very little food and biting insults. They are also joined by their young new neighbor Ash, who spends the evening attempting to be a good guest whilst fending off the advances of Freddie and Stuart's best friend Violet. New neighbor Ash seeks advice from them on winning back his ex-girlfriend, and Violet and Penelope take Ash shopping for a gift. Spotting Stuart working in a men's outfitters, the trio suspects him of having an affair, but Stuart admits that he has taken a job because Freddie's acting career is currently not bringing in enough money. Later, Freddie goes to the shop and makes the same discovery but pretends to believe that Stuart is having an affair because he does not want to hurt his pride. Ash tells Violet that he won his girlfriend back, but after witnessing the sacrifices of Freddie and Stuart, admires their closeness and ends his frivolous relationship. Freddie has an important audition coming up whilst Ash frets over his own career direction. Freddie suggests that Ash pursue acting and teaches him the tricks of the trade, only to injure his confidence when Ash immediately secures an acting role; noting Freddie's new state of depression, Stuart schemes to renew his confidence. Meanwhile, Violet seeks advice from Freddie and Stuart on her sordid love affair with her Hungarian internet boyfriend. Ash invites Freddie, Stuart, Penelope and Mason to go clubbing, which Freddie and Stuart turn into a popularity contest. After becoming more popular with Ash's friends than Stuart, Freddie boasts his success, only to feel out of place due to his age. Realizing his inappropriate behavior and selfishness, he then apologizes and makes up with Stuart. Meanwhile, Violet heads abroad to Argentina in order to meet her new online partner. Freddie, feeling low as his acting jobs appear to be drying up, invites Ash and his vegan girlfriend Chloe for one of Stuart's dinner parties. Finding Chloe both naïve and irritating, Stuart and Freddie endure the young couple's saccharine behavior, only to later relish the bickering that develops. Meanwhile, Violet visits her internet boyfriend in Argentina, only to be handcuffed and robbed of her money and passport, stranding her in South America. Freddie and Stuart are having a party to celebrate their 49th anniversary. Ash accidentally tells Stuart's mother Mildred about the party, so Stuart decides that it is time he told her the truth about his relationship with Freddie. Freddie meanwhile attempts to invite Judi Dench, whom he worked with in a commercial 40 years ago. It's Christmas and Freddie and Stuart have invited the whole gang for a traditional Christmas dinner. The only problem is that Ash is cooking, Violet is bringing a new lover and Freddie has an incredibly demanding new acting gig (as Father Christmas). 

season 2 - 

Violet panics when her wealthy sister Lillian - whom she has not seen in years - announces a visit. Worried that Lillian will discover the truth about her circumstances, Violet and friends set in motion an elaborate plan to save her from humiliation. Meanwhile, Ash is keen to introduce the group to his new girlfriend, Jess, but he is in for a surprise. Feeling unfit, Freddie and Stuart join Ash at his gym, where a young fitness instructor persuades the pair to sign up for an expensive membership. With Freddie and Stuart spending so much time at the gym, Violet and Penelope discover how pleasant their flat can be without the bickering pair in it. The gang decides to join Ash and Jess at a ballroom dancing class. Nimble on his feet, Stuart quickly becomes teacher's pet, leaving Freddie in a huff, while Violet becomes a hit with the amorous teacher in other ways. Finding themselves both single, Violet and Ash consider dating new people, Violet has already met someone on the internet, while Ash's ex, Chloe, returns. Freddie, meanwhile, feels under pressure from Stuart to land a new acting role. After Freddie and Stuart have a falling out, Stuart moves in with Ash and Violet moves in with Freddie. Freddie and Stuart's wedding day arrives, but Mason and Penelope have problems getting the cake, Violet's wayward husband Jasper finally turns up to cause trouble and Stuart's mum Mildred dies at the wedding ceremony. In spring, Freddie and Stuart attempt to hide their recently gained inheritance, which they got in Mildred's will. Violet has financial troubles after her recent divorce and Ash struggles to meet his rent. Signs of Freddie and Stuart’s expenditure soon threaten the pretense as their home is overrun with guests. In summer, it's Freddie's birthday party and an unexpected card arrives. Stuart prepares a very special present, Violet has a surprising announcement, and Ash and Penelope share a secret. In autumn, Ash arrives at Freddie and Stuart's flat with news that he is going to attend university in America, whilst in winter the gang gather round at Christmas to experience Freddie’s latest acting job.