Vicious (2013)
A razor-sharp British sitcom starring Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as a gloriously bickering elderly gay couple navigating love, friendship, and a meddlesome new neighbor.
Vicious - Series Information
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Created by: Mark Ravenhill
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (22 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 29, 2013 (United States - TV-14), April 29, 2013 (United Kingdom - 12), April 29, 2013 (Germany - 12), April 29, 2013 (France - 12), April 29, 2013 (Australia - PG), April 29, 2013 (Brazil - 14), April 29, 2013 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ITV1
- Production Companies: Brown Eyed Boy, Kudos
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Vicious - Plot
Freddie and Stuart are an old couple who have been together for decades and bicker constantly. Their lives are turned upside down by their new upstairs neighbor Ash, who is sure to cause trouble in their mundane lives.
Vicious - Trailer
See the sparks fly in this official look at the series:
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Vicious - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mark Ravenhill
Main Cast
- Ian McKellen
- Derek Jacobi
- Frances de la Tour
- Iwan Rheon
- Marcia Warren
- Philip Voss
- Alexandra Roach
- Georgia King
- Christopher Villiers
- Jonathan Readwin
Writers
- Gary Janetti
Executive Producers
- Gary Janetti
- Jane Featherstone
Vicious - FAQs
Who plays Freddie and Stuart in Vicious?
The central couple is brought to life by two British acting legends: Sir Ian McKellen plays Freddie Thornhill and Sir Derek Jacobi plays Stuart Bixby. Their real-life friendship and decades of stage experience give their on-screen bickering a wonderfully sharp, lived-in chemistry that anchors the entire series.
Is Vicious worth watching for fans of classic British sitcoms?
Absolutely. Vicious is a love letter to the classic British sitcom format, elevated by two of the finest actors of their generation. The rapid-fire insults between McKellen and Jacobi are genuinely hilarious, and the warmth beneath all the bickering gives the show real heart. A short, breezy watch at just 12 episodes.
Where can you stream Vicious online?
Vicious is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased through Amazon Video. Free ad-supported viewing is also available on Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads and Tubi TV.
Who created and wrote the Vicious TV series?
Vicious was created by playwright Mark Ravenhill and written by Gary Janetti, who also served as executive producer alongside Jane Featherstone. Janetti, best known as a writer on shows like Will & Grace and Family Guy, crafted the sharp, insult-laden dialogue that defines the series' distinctive comedic voice.
What is the significance of Ash in Vicious?
Ash, played by Iwan Rheon (best known as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones), is the young upstairs neighbor whose arrival disrupts Freddie and Stuart's comfortable routine. He becomes a surrogate son figure, a sounding board, and often the unwitting target of the couple's barbs, providing a fresh generational dynamic.
How was Vicious received by critics and audiences?
Critical reception was mixed — some reviewers found the humour too reliant on old-fashioned sitcom conventions, while others celebrated it as a showcase for McKellen and Jacobi's extraordinary comic timing. Audiences, particularly in the UK and US, responded warmly, drawn in by the undeniable charm of its two leads.
Why did Vicious end after only two seasons?
Vicious concluded after two series and a Christmas special, wrapping up in 2015. While ITV did not publicly detail the cancellation reasons, the show's compact format — six episodes per series — was always designed for a focused run. The creators chose to end the story on their own terms rather than stretch it thin.
What shows are similar to Vicious that fans might enjoy?
Fans of Vicious tend to enjoy Grace and Frankie for its older-cast comedy and LGBT themes, Will & Grace for sharp ensemble sitcom humour, and It's a Sin for emotionally resonant LGBT British drama. Keeping Up Appearances and Not Going Out also share that classic, character-driven British sitcom sensibility.
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