'The Wrong Mans' - Q&A with Mathew Bayton

Tellyspotting recently sat down with series co-creator/writer/star, Mathew Baynton, to talk about what's in store for Sam and Phil in S2 and, basically, all-things comedy.

Radio Times review

For some of us The Wrong Mans was the unexpected TV treat of last year. The comedy thriller about two hapless nobodies caught in an international espionage plot could have wobbled in so many ways (not funny, not thrilling, not making sense) but it never put a foot wrong.

For that, all credit to writers/stars James Corden and Mathew Baynton, whose council postboy Phil and planning officer Sam were forever searching for the heroes inside themselves, facing up to rock-hard criminals and above all "rolling deep".

We might have guessed it wouldn't turn out smoothly for them. As this two-parter starts, they're holed up with new identities at a trucking firm in Texas, and pining for home. Well, Sam is - Phil has managed to convince a local girl he's a former pro-wrestler who did brain surgery on the side. But fate has more trouble in store, involving Mexican drug lords, Russian assassins and a terrific dig at Top Gear.

James Corden's Hollywood success could end show

Mathew Baynton has admitted The Wrong Mans could come to an end if James Corden's US career goes well.

The Wrong Mans, BBC2 review

Mathew Baynton and James Corden again prove themselves the right mans for the job.

Mathew Baynton: This could be the end

One of the stars of comedy thriller The Wrong Mans has said the second series "might be the end" of the show.

Mathew Baynton interview: the right man for the job

The actor's thoughtful approach makes him the perfect foil - as writer and co-star - for James Corden in the high-octane drama The Wrong Mans.

It's only fair to admit that I was quite biased against The Wrong Mans when it began last year. Not only did it have a stupid title (still not explained) but it starred and was co-written by James Corden. Once the well-liked breakout star/co-creator of Gavin and Stacey, his ego and ubiquity led to a backlash that saw him branded one of the most annoying men in Britain. But, much like this series' heroes, he made a miraculous escape, bouncing back with a highly entertaining, carefully thought-out comedy thriller.

As he's about to become the new host of a late-night American chat show, this two-part return of The Wrong Mans may be its last hurrah. It sees Corden's Phil living it up in the US, while pal Sam (co-writer Mathew Baynton) is less happy about what has followed their last accidental escapades with gangsters and spies.

The plot moves speedily, with the hapless pair quickly in yet more dangerous situations which they're completely unable to cope with. Realism goes out the window, but there's charming banter between the duo, who are given to reminiscing about their town's Christmas lights even when banged up in a high-security Texan jail.

Without spoiling the opening to this new two-parter, our antiheroes Sam (Mathew Baynton) and Phil (James Corden) have relocated to warmer climes, and one of them is settling in better than the other. Whoever tried to kill them at the end of the last series is yet to be found but they need to get back to the UK. This is their thrilling, gorgeously shot, exceptionally funny journey home. A great Top Gear gag, Bertie Carvel's chameleon act ... there's so much to recommend it. Concludes tomorrow.

Sky's high-concept comedy, in which therapist Rebecca Front combs over the psyches of her famous patients, concludes its second series tonight with Gracie Fields (Frances Barber) and Daphne du Maurier (Morgana Robinson) among those exposing their neuroses. One of the less amusing, and less admirable, aspects of the show is the male comedians' pantomime dame-style grotesque parodies of women, a gag taken to extremes here as Mathew Baynton, Kevin Eldon and Dustin Demri-Burns play a trio of hideous witches.

Radio Times review

Jonathan Ross is your host as the nation's comics get together and royally rip the mickey. No tears. No compliments. It's their way of saying they love each other.

The nominations list shows 2014 has been an exceptional year - albeit primarily for white men, who are so glaringly dominant, it's a wonder there aren't any blokes up for best comedy actress.

The evening should belong to Matt Berry, whose riotous Toast of London is in line for six awards, the most nods since Gavin & Stacey seven years back. His fellow best actor nominee Mathew Baynton might have a better chance in the restored comedy drama category - if The Wrong Mans can edge out Rev. and the dazzling Inside No 9.

Or will it be a night for codgers? Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's labour of love Story of the Twos is justly recognised, and there are two noms for a gang of plucky UKTV debutants called Monty Python...