Pistol (2022)
Danny Boyle's electrifying miniseries chronicles the rise of the Sex Pistols — the punk band that turned British culture upside down.
Pistol - Series Information
- Original Title: Pistol
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2022
- Created by: Craig Pearce
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: May 31, 2022 (United States - TV-MA), May 31, 2022 (Canada - 18+), May 31, 2022 (Germany - 16), May 31, 2022 (Brazil - 16)
- Networks: Hulu
- Alternative Titles: Пістолет (UA), 叛逆之聲 (TW)
- Production Companies: wiip, FX Productions, Decibel Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Pistol - Plot
The story of a band of spotty, noisy, working-class kids with "no future," who shook the boring, corrupt Establishment to its core, threatened to bring down the government and changed music and culture forever.
Pistol - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the chaos unfold:
Never mind the bollocks...
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Pistol - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Craig Pearce
Main Cast
- Toby Wallace
- Anson Boon
- Christian Lees
- Sydney Chandler
- Talulah Riley
- Maisie Williams
- Emma Appleton
- Thomas Brodie-Sangster
- Jacob Slater
- John McCrea
Writers
- Craig Pearce
Executive Producers
- Anita Camarata
- Danny Boyle
- Gail Lyon
- Steve Jones
- Tracey Seaward
Pistol - FAQs
Is Pistol based on a true story?
Pistol is based on Steve Jones's memoir 'Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,' making it a dramatized account of real events. It follows the actual rise of the Sex Pistols in 1970s London, though creative liberties are taken to heighten the drama and emotional impact of the story.
Who plays Steve Jones and John Lydon in Pistol?
Toby Wallace takes on the role of guitarist Steve Jones, whose memoir inspired the series. Anson Boon delivers a riveting portrayal of the volatile John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten. Both performances were widely praised as standout highlights of the miniseries.
Where can you stream Pistol?
Pistol is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. You can also buy episodes on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Free viewing options include Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Plex Channel, and Fawesome.
Did John Lydon oppose the making of Pistol?
John Lydon publicly and vocally opposed the series, refusing to grant permission for his songs to be used and filing a legal challenge that was ultimately unsuccessful. He objected to the project on creative and personal grounds, calling it an unauthorized portrayal of his life and legacy.
Who directed the Pistol miniseries?
Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning director of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, directed all six episodes of Pistol. His kinetic visual style and deep affinity for British counterculture made him a natural fit for this explosive retelling of the Sex Pistols' brief but seismic rise.
How was Pistol received by critics?
Critical reception was largely positive, with praise directed at Danny Boyle's frenetic direction, the committed ensemble performances, and the series' anarchic energy. Some reviewers felt it glossed over darker complexities, but most agreed it captured the raw spirit of the punk era with genuine style and conviction.
How many episodes does Pistol have?
Pistol is a self-contained miniseries comprising six episodes, all released on Hulu on May 31, 2022. The compact format suits the story perfectly — the Sex Pistols' active career was itself brief and explosive, and the series mirrors that intensity without overstaying its welcome.
What are similar shows to Pistol?
If Pistol struck a chord, Vinyl (2016) offers a similarly music-soaked dive into 1970s rock excess. It's a Sin (2021) captures the same era's British social upheaval with emotional depth. For more music biopics with rebellious spirit, Will (2017) and London Spy (2015) are compelling companion watches.
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