Many of us have that one friend. The childhood companion with whom we were once inseparable, but who then strayed a little too far from the path and has been stuck in roughly that same dodgy place ever since. And yet despite your better judgment, you find yourself being pulled back into their orbit time and time again.
Vincent “Vinnie” O’Neill is one such friend, a character who immediately leaps off the screen in the opening moments of this outrageous British comedy. Played by British actor Joe Gilgun, who also co-created and co-wrote the show, Vinnie is a big reason why Brassic has become somewhat of a runaway hit in its native England for six seasons and counting (a seventh season has been confirmed).
Somewhat reluctantly along for the ride are Vinnie’s ragtag crew, which includes best friend Dylan (Damien Molony) Dylan’s girlfriend Erin (Michelle Keegan), the loveable layabout Cardi (Tom Hanson), and the muscle of the gang, Ash (Aaron Heffernan). Like most young adults faced with little to no prospects, they must resort to all manner of mischief as a means of scratching out a living and distracting themselves from their seemingly mundane small-town existence.
Among their many escapades include a scheme to steal a Shetland pony, a strip club heist gone wrong and the attempted robbery of a travelling circus. And while their constant scheming and disregard for the local authorities provide a great deal of the show's entertainment value, the true pleasure of watching Brassic lies in the interplay between its core characters and the quirky townsfolk who share a love-hate relationship with Vinnie and his motley band of misfits.
Much like Derry Girls and The Inbetweeners before it, Brassic understands the joy of hearing a very specific brand of crass dialogue delivered in an utterly authentic way. From outrageously inappropriate barbs to the cheekiest of one-liners, the unmistakable twang or Northern England slang is affectionately rendered on screen - just one of many ways Gilgun and his writers have played to the strengths of their show's unique setting.
Steve Evets, Bhavna Limbachia, Joe Gilgun, Michelle Keegan and Ryan Sampson. Credit: Brassic Park Limited / Calamity Films
But it’s between the banter that Brassic pulls off its most impressive feat, as the series slowly reveals a beating heart lying beneath its coarse exterior. Vinnie’s bipolar disorder, while played for laughs in early episodes, becomes integral to the story and key to unlocking much of his erratic behaviour. And through a series of flashbacks, we slowly gain a better understanding of how a troubled childhood has led to an equally troubled passage into adulthood for Vinnie and his mates.
Over the course of the series, as the core crew slip further towards a life of petty crime, they begin to question whether there is more to life than the dull streets and endless paddocks of Hawley. It’s this added layer of vulnerability and warmth that make the characters feel like real flesh and blood people, and why Brassic ultimately wins you over with its undeniable charm.
But for all the self-reflection and character growth that may occur, this is at its core a show about a bunch of lads trying to get by in a world that’s dealt them a rough hand. And as such, you can always rest assured that for every heartfelt moment or piece of emotional introspection, there’s an impeccably crafted insult just around the corner.
All six seasons of Brassic are streaming at SBS On Demand.
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Brassic
