Take the HIGH ROAD!

NOEL FIELDING and HUGH BONNEVILLE introduce us to their 18th-century epic

- CAREN CLARIC

THE COMPLETELY MADE-UP ADVENTURES OF DICK TURPIN

FROM FRIDAY 1 MARCH, APPLE TV+ COMEDY (FIRST TWO EPS FROM FRI 1 MAR, THEN WEEKLY) 

Prepare for a swashbuckling tale of daring and danger as The Great British Bake Off host Noel Fielding swaps spatulas for pistols to play one of Britain’s most infamous highwaymen in a glossy new period escapade.

Launching on Apple TV+ this week, six-part series The Completely Made-up Adventures of Dick Turpin sees the comedian star as the 18th-century robber, who, in this alternate history, is a peace-loving vegan with a passion for flamboyant fashion!

The story sees Dick quit his job as an apprentice to his butcher dad John (Mark Heap) and hit the road to pursue more creative endeavours. But he quickly descends into a life of crime after he encounters hard-nosed highwayman Tom King (David Threlfall) and accidentally kills him before taking over King’s ragtag crew, the Essex Gang.

The series, which features guest stars including Greg Davies and Jessica Hynes, then follows Dick as he tries to bring a touch of panache to his illicit new career, while also evading crooked Thief Taker General Jonathan Wilde (Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville), who wants to see him hang.

TV Times caught up with Noel, 50, who has co-written the show, and Hugh, 60, to find out more…

What drew you both to this project?