British Comedy Guide
Family Tree. Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd). Copyright: Lucky Giant
Family Tree

Family Tree

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 2013
  • 8 episodes (1 series)

Mockumentary starring Chris O'Dowd as a man who stumbles upon a mysterious box of belongings from a great aunt. Stars Chris O'Dowd, Nina Conti, Tom Bennett, Michael McKean, Lisa Palfrey and Jim Piddock

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 3 - The Austerity Games

After discovering grandfather William was on the GB team in the cash-poor 1948 Olympics, Tom hears about his and Victoria's athletic feats from a close friend she bequeathed her flat to.

Preview clips

Further details

Family Tree. Image shows from L to R: Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd), Bea Chadwick (Nina Conti). Copyright: Lucky Giant

Bea and Monk audition to perform at a children's birthday, while Tom starts digging deeper into the life of his grandfather, William, who he suspects might have competed in the 1948 London "Austerity Games", a far cry from those of 2012. After learning more about the games from Mr. Pfister, Tom visits his great-aunt Victoria's friend, Mildred.

Mildred is able to shed some light on William's former athletic prowess and on why Victoria left Tom the chest of family curios.

With Keith's help, Tom and Pete are able to find the gym where Tom's grandfather William trained for the Games. At the gym, they meet some old-timers who knew William. And Pete bravely accepts a challenge from a much younger timer.

Bea and Monk perform their first professional gig at a wedding reception.

Notes

This episode debuted in the US on 2nd June, 2013.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 30th July 2013
Time
10pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Chris O'Dowd Tom Chadwick
Nina Conti Bea Chadwick
Tom Bennett Pete Stupples
Michael McKean Keith Chadwick
Lisa Palfrey Luba Chadwick
Jim Piddock Mr. Pfister
Guest cast
Gerard Horan 'There Goes the Neighbourhood' - Vikram
Meera Syal 'There Goes the Neighbourhood' - Chitra
Nicholas Beveney TJ
Barbara Bolton Mildred Budgens
Kate Miles Young Mother
Andrew Neil Barry Booker
Arthur Nightingale Terry Cross
Brendan Patricks Young Father
Peter Polycarpou Father of the Bride
Annabel Scholey Lucy Pfister
Dudley Sutton Jimmy Pickwick
Jake Swift 13 year old boxer
Farshid Rokey 'There Goes the Neighbourhood' - Sunil
Writing team
Christopher Guest Writer
Jim Piddock Writer
Production team
Christopher Guest Director
Christine Gernon Director
Charlotte Ashby Producer
Christine Sacani Producer
Megan Murphy Producer
Christopher Guest Executive Producer
Jim Piddock Executive Producer
Karen Murphy Executive Producer
Chris Sussman Executive Producer
Deborah Oppenheimer Executive Producer
Mario Stylianides Executive Producer
Robert Leighton Editor
Humphrey Jaeger Production Designer
CJ Vanston Composer

Video

Tom Meets Lucy

Tom and Mr Pfister's daughter, Lucy, swaps stories of heartbreak. Tom makes it a little too clear that he and his ex are no longer friends...

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