ITVX’s latest sitcom, G’Wed, has received little fanfare ahead of its release, with only a handful of short write-ups and a location list article. However, a social media post from Russell T Davies brought some much-needed attention to the show. Davies described the series as being “funny” and “filthy”, and praised its writing and cast. While Davies may have been influenced by his association with the ITVX network, his recommendation seems to have been justified.
Set in the Beechwood Estate in Birkenhead, G’Wed offers little new in terms of plot and character. The ensemble cast brings to mind shows like Derry Girls, while the premise of the first episode is similar to The Inbetweeners. However, the series still manages to make itself distinct in subtle ways. The show allows for more representation on screen, with characters who are Muslim and gay. In particular, the third episode stands out as a moment of balancing the comedy and drama well, featuring an incredibly filthy but emotionally poignant love affair between two characters.
G’Wed also makes a point of being smart about its portrayal of class. It avoids the pitfalls that have plagued other sitcoms in the past, with characters who are clearly not wealthy yet live in homes that seem believable, rather than sprawling sets. The show also subverts expectations, with a character who begins to cry about their family’s poverty being revealed to be lying as a prank. Ultimately, G’Wed is a strong argument for diverse representation and not confining all television to London.
Whether the show will continue beyond its initial run remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the cast is energetic and the writing is sharp. Every episode seems to improve upon its predecessor, making a quick recommission a possibility. G’Wed may not be revolutionary, but it is undoubtedly a solid comedy that deserves more attention.
G’Wed is currently available to watch on ITVX
Read the full article from The Guardian here: Read More