The wait is over! BritBox, the subscription streaming service from BBC Studios and ITV, offering the biggest and best collection of unmissable streaming British entertainment in North America, has a jam-packed April slate. On April 12, the service will unveil its biggest original commission to date, Agatha Christie’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, a limited series adapted by Hugh Laurie. The three-part mini-series, an adaptation of the compelling Agatha Christie mystery, which Laurie also directed and executive produced, features a phenomenal cast starring Will Poulter (The Revenant) and Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody). Based on the iconic 1934 Agatha Christie novel, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? follows the local Vicar’s son, Bobby Jones (Poulter), and his whip-smart friend, socialite Lady Frances “Frankie” Derwent (Boynton), on their crime-solving adventure after they discover the crumpled body of a dying man who, with his last breath, gasps the cryptic question of the title. Armed only with a photograph of a beautiful young woman found in the dead man’s pocket, these amateur detectives pursue and are pursued by, the answer to the mystery.
Kicking off the month in style, have a laugh this April Fools’ Day with a Stand-Up Comedy Collection that BritBox will release on April 1. A unique blend of comedy and fast-paced streams of consciousness from both established and up-and-coming comedians, the collection includes Steve Coogan, Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard, Craig Ferguson, John Bishop, Sara Pascoe, Katherine Ryan and more!
April 1, 2022: BBC Presents: Stand Up for Live Comedy | New to BritBox | 6 X 30
During a time when comedy fans around the world were missing out on the live stand-up experience, the BBC came to the rescue, bringing the circuit’s best talent directly to your living rooms. Filmed live with socially distanced audiences, this innovative series brings all the diverse brilliance of the UK club scene to TV. Each episode comes from a different city including Bristol, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Margate and London, hosted by a world-class comic, alongside two or three support acts at the top of their game. Make way for the next generation of Britain’s best stand-ups.
April 1, 2022: Live at the Apollo S3, S9, S10 & Best of | New to BritBox | 31 X 45
A flagship stand up comedy institution, producing a string of home-grown stars and attracting international talent. The roll call of stand-ups who have performed in front of a live audience at the world-famous Hammersmith Apollo Theatre plays out like a who’s who of comedic royalty. Each episode sees a stand-up legend act as compere and perform to the audience, before introducing two of the best stand-ups currently on the comedy circuit.
April 1, 2022: Live from the BBC S1-3 | New to BritBox | 31 X 45
Filmed live from the BBC’s iconic Radio Theatre, this classy stand-up series presents the most distinctive comic voices from around the world. Produced in close collaboration with the acts themselves, Live from the BBC achieves the quality and intimacy usually only seen in feature-length specials. The award-winning international cast has been taking the world’s biggest comedy festivals by storm. Acts include: Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning New Yorker Alex Edelman; multi-award winning Australian Felicity Ward; four-time Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominee James Acaster; and many more up-and-coming stars. These are comedy’s household names of the future, captured in the authentic style of the club circuit.
April 1, 2022: The Stand Up Sketch Show S1-3 | BritBox Exclusive, New to BritBox | 12 X 25 & 8 X 30
The Stand Up Sketch Show takes the funniest routines from the UK’s best-loved comedians and brings them side-splittingly to life in sketch form. Each act begins telling their story in front of a live audience. As they continue their narration on stage, there’s no need to picture the scene yourself – a surreal short-film reconstruction does the work for you. Every scene sees the comedians play the roles they were born to play – themselves. And as their voiceover describes the action, dialogue in the routines is lip-synced by the sketch performers. These quickfire skits are fast-paced and funny, so the laughs keep coming thick and fast.
April 1, 2022: Craig Ferguson: I’m Here to Help | New to BritBox | 1 X 80
Craig Ferguson unleashes his trademark stream-of-consciousness comedy before a sold-out crowd, riffing on fatherhood, Helen of Troy and shark penises. His show’s not safe for kids – or the easily offended!
April 1, 2022: Eddie Izzard: Definite Article | New to BritBox | 1 X 108
Eddie Izzard: Definite Article was recorded at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, when Eddie was in the middle of her sell-out 12-week run. The special includes topics such as Pavlov’s dogs, European languages and trivia!
April 1, 2022: Eddie Izzard: Glorious | New to BritBox | 1 X 100
Glorious was Eddie Izzard’s 1997 performance at the Hammersmith Apollo. Topics during the act included the siege of Troy, Noah’s Ark, the Royal Family and the birth of baby Jesus.
April 1, 2022: Gina Yashere: Skinny B*tch | New to BritBox | 1 X 60
Witty, razor-sharp observations abound in this stand-up performance from Gina Yashere. From bits about her mom and men, to colonic irrigation and luggage, this special leaves no stone unturned.
April 1, 2022: John Bishop: Live: Supersonic – At the Royal Albert Hall | New to BritBox | 1 X 80
John Bishop ended his third sell-out national tour with this special one-off show at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall.
April 1, 2022: Russell Brand: Messiah Complex | BritBox Exclusive, New to BritBox | 1 X 75
Recorded live at the world-famous Hammersmith Apollo, controversial superstar comedian and actor Russell Brand questions the values of heroes and leaders. ‘Messiah Complex’ is a disorder where sufferers think they might be the messiah. Did Jesus have it? What about Che Guevara, Gandhi, Malcolm X and Hitler? All these men have shaped our lives and influenced the way we think. Their images are used to represent ideas that often do not relate to them at all. Would Gandhi be into Apple? Would Che Guevara endorse Madonna? Would Jesus be into Christianity? Brand concludes it’s all a load of rubbish and encourages the audience to stop voting, ignore advertising, look to the transcendent within themselves and others and kick over some bins on their way home. Plus, there’s sex. Obviously.
April 1, 2022: Steve Coogan’s Stand Up Down Under (2013) | New to BritBox | 1 X 90
Steve Coogan’s Stand Up Down Under charts the highs and lows of Steve’s 2009 tour across Australia and New Zealand. This is a candid behind the scenes look at one of the UK’s top comedians as he tours with some of his most well-loved characters, from Paul and Pauline Calf to Alan Partridge. Steve Coogan gives us his unique look at Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland whilst giving us an insight into the backstage banter and what life on the road is really like as a touring comedian. Featuring exclusive footage from his performances and unrestricted backstage access, it’s a funny, intimate, and honest portrait of one of our best-loved character comedians.
April 8, 2022: Macbeth (2018) | New to BritBox | 1 X 120
Successfully bridging the gap between theatre and film to create a wholly new type of imaginative space, Macbeth amplifies the theatrical context of the original and creates truly innovative and thrilling cinematic vistas, whilst maintaining the language and themes of Shakespeare’s original play. A timeless tale of unchecked ambition, soured friendships, lost intimacy, and a descent into nihilism—set in a world that is an arresting blend of Medieval imagery and modern aesthetics.
April 12, 2022: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? | BritBox Original, North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 3 X 90
Based on the iconic 1934 Agatha Christie novel, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, is adapted and directed by Hugh Laurie (House). The limited series follows the amiable Bobby Jones (Will Poulter, The Revenant) and his whip smart friend, socialite Lady Frances “Frankie” Derwent (Lucy Boynton, Bohemian Rhapsody). On the hunt for a lost golf ball, unsuspecting Jones discovers the crumpled body of a dying man who, with his last breath, gasps the cryptic question of the series’ title. Armed with only a photograph of a beautiful young woman found in the dead man’s pocket, these amateur sleuths embark on a crime-solving adventure and prove surprisingly adept at unearthing clues. The levity of the duo’s wit and banter belies the danger they continuously encounter as they pursue the answer to the mysterious question.
April 16, 2022: Easter from Kings 2022 | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 1 X 75
Celebrate Easter with music and readings from the Chapel of King’s College in Cambridge. Featuring seasonal hymns performed by the world-famous choir and readings, Easter From Kings 2022 provides the rare opportunity to spend the holiday surrounded by the beauty of King’s College Chapel.
April 22, 2022: Antiques Roadshow S41 | New to BritBox | 26 X 60
Dust off your family heirlooms and dig out those car boot bargains as the ratings-winning series is back on the trail of the nation’s hidden treasures. Antiques Roadshow’s experts visit more of Britain’s most sumptuous and unusual locations, inviting the public to bring their antiques for examination and share stories of how they came to own them. The specialists in art, furniture and collectables advise on the history of the pieces and their likely value. The series includes a special episode marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
April 26, 2022: Doctor Foster | New to BritBox | 10 X 60
Doctor Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones, Scott & Bailey) is a woman in control. She’s a talented and respected family doctor at the heart of her village – a woman people can trust and a loving mother. But Doctor Foster’s life is about to explode. Suspecting her husband Simon of having an affair, she’s determined to get to the truth. But how far is she prepared to go and what other betrayals might she uncover? As Gemma’s investigation throws her life and the lives of her patients and family into chaos, she finds herself behaving in ways she could never have imagined. In trying to regain control, could she end up losing everything she loves?
