Beast (TV series)

2000 British TV series or programme

Beast

Genre| Sitcom
Created by| Simon Nye
Directed by| Martin Dennis
Starring| Alexander Armstrong
Doon Mackichan
Sylvestra Le Touzel
Steven Alvey
Emma Pierson
Country of origin| United Kingdom
Original language| English
No. of series| 2
No. of episodes| 12
Production
Running time| 30 minutes
Original release
Network| BBC One
Release| 13 January 2000 (2000-01-13) –
10 February 2001 (2001-02-10)

Beast is a BBC One sitcom based in a veterinary surgery. Two series of six episodes each were made, with the first broadcast in early 2000 and the second in 2001. Set in Gloucestershire, the sitcom centres around Nick (Alexander Armstrong), a country vet who has a strong dislike of most animals, particarly guinea pigs. Stuck in his dead-end job, he has inherited the ownership of the practise from his father. He also has poor interpersonal skills and these tend alienate people, particularly the young female owners of his patients. Armstrong notes "the only reason he stays being a vet is because he can meet some foxy bird."[1] His receptionist/ manager Kirsten (Doon Mackichan) is only person who keeps his sanity at bay, whom is also a close friend and ally.[2] His colleagues and fellow vets include the priggish and haughty Briony (Sylvestra Le Touzel), wet and dull Andrew (Steven Alvey) and Jade (Emma Pierson), the youngest member of staff, who is known for her eccentricites and odd behaviour.[3]

Following the show's cancellation, subsequently in 2006, Fox network planned to produce a US version of the series. Emmy award-winning comedy writer and producer Tucker Cawley adapted Nye's script for the pilot episode.[4]

## Cast and characters

[edit]

* Alexander Armstrong as Nick, the lead character, a vet and owner of the practice which he inherited from his Father.
* Doon Mackichan as Kirsten, the practice manager.
* Sylvestra Le Touzel as Briony, the most experienced Vet at the practice.
* Steven Alvey as Andrew, the third and final vet at the practice.
* Emma Pierson as Jade, a trainee veterinary assistant.

## Episodes

[edit]

### Series 1 (2000)

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
series| Title| Original release date

|
|
|

1| 1| "Juggling with Guinea Pigs"| 13 January 2000 (2000-01-13)
2| 2| "The Love They Call Stalking"| 20 January 2000 (2000-01-20)
3| 3| "Should We Hug?"| 27 January 2000 (2000-01-27)
4| 4| "Frightening Shorts"| 3 February 2000 (2000-02-03)
5| 5| "Twin Pekes"| 10 February 2000 (2000-02-10)
6| 6| "Talking Dirty"| 17 February 2000 (2000-02-17)

### Series 2 (2001)

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
series| Title| Original release date

|
|
|

7| 1| "Cow"| 6 January 2001 (2001-01-06)
8| 2| "Cat"| 13 January 2001 (2001-01-13)
9| 3| "Pig"| 20 January 2001 (2001-01-20)
10| 4| "Dogs"| 27 January 2001 (2001-01-27)
11| 5| "Lamb"| 3 February 2001 (2001-02-03)
12| 6| "Snake"| 10 February 2001 (2001-02-10)

## Home media

[edit]

The complete series of Beast was released on region 2 DVD by Network on 17 March 2014.[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gould, Phil (8 January 2000). "Armstrong's difficult new co-stars". Belfast Newsletter. p. 28.
2. ^ "Beast Behaviour". Halifax Evening Courier. 8 January 2000. p. 28.
3. ^ Beckwith, Adam (7 April 2015). "The Comedy Vault - Beast". Adam's Nostalgic Memories.
4. ^ "Beast of Hollywood: Vet sitcom gets US makeover". Chortle. 13 October 2006.
5. ^ "Beast - The Complete Series". British Comedy Guide. 17 March 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* Beast at BBC Online
* Beast at British Comedy Guide
* Beast at IMDb

* v
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Simon Nye

Sitcoms|

* Men Behaving Badly (1992–98)
* Is It Legal? (1995–98)
* How Do You Want Me? (1998–99)
* Beast (2000–01)
* The Savages (2001)
* Wild West (2002–04)
* Hardware (2003–04)
* Carrie and Barry (2004–05)
* Felix and Murdo (2011)

Other|

* Frank Stubbs Promotes (1993–94)
* True Love (1996)
* The Railway Children (2000)
* Pollyanna (2003)
* My Family and Other Animals (2005)
* Doctor Who \- Amy's Choice (2010)
* Just William (2010)
* Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This (2014)
* The Durrells (2016–19)
* The Sex Pistols Vs. Bill Grundy (2018)

Nye with others|

* My Wonderful Life (1997–99)
* The Last Salute (1998–99)
* Reggie Perrin (2009–10)
* In with the Flynns (2011–12)
* Mr Stink (2012)
* Thanks for the Memories (2019)
* Finding Alice (2021)
* The Larkins (2021–22)

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