British Comedy Guide
Free Agents. Image shows from L to R: Helen Ryan (Sharon Horgan), Alex Taylor (Stephen Mangan)
Free Agents

Free Agents

  • TV sitcom
  • Channel 4
  • 2007 - 2009
  • 7 episodes (1 series)

A dark and poignant romantic sitcom following a 'will they, won't they' couple. Stars Stephen Mangan, Sharon Horgan and Anthony Head. Stars Stephen Mangan, Sharon Horgan, Anthony Head, Matthew Holness, Sara Pascoe and more.

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Series 1, Episode 4

Helen ropes Alex in as childcare-expert and nappy-changer when she's forced to babysit her goddaughter for the day.

Further details

Friday night and Alex is at his latest temporary home - a one-bedroom rented flat of Stephens that he's having redecorated.

Alex is webchatting with his kids when they accidentally reveal that their mum has a new boyfriend. When Helen shows up the next morning with her baby god-daughter, begging Alex to be chief baby-sitter for the day, he unexpectedly agrees, suggesting they all go to the park... In fact it's a particular park which, as Helen discovers, is the park where Alex's ex-wife and kids (and therefore new boyfriend) are likely to be found. But when his plan to spy on his kids' new stepfather is rumbled, Alex relaxes and takes charge of Peta. Helen sees a new side to Alex - the responsible grown-up.

But their day of pretending to be co-parents is interrupted by a summons from Stephen to an emergency board-meeting that turns out to be a party he's arranged because he's feeling lonely.

Driving home, Helen asks Alex to move in to her spare-room. He'd love that. In fact if Helen's out tomorrow could he cook lunch at her flat for Sarah and his kids? 'There's only so many times you can go to the zoo!'

At the zoo with Sarah, Alex's kids ask him why their friend's mum saw him hiding behind a tree spying on them with his girlfriend and a baby...

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 6th March 2009
Time
10pm
Channel
Channel 4
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Stephen Mangan Alex Taylor
Sharon Horgan Helen Ryan
Anthony Head Stephen Caudwell
Matthew Holness Dan Mackey
Sara Pascoe Emma Phillips
Dolly Wells Sarah
Tom Goodman-Hill Malcolm
Anna Maxwell Martin Sophie
Guest cast
Richard Lumsden Rick (Alex's Wife's Friend)
Writing team
Chris Niel Writer
Production team
James Griffiths Director
Nira Park Producer
Matthew Justice Executive Producer
Iain Morris Executive Producer
Mark Everson Editor
Dick Lunn Production Designer
David Arnold Composer

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