Chewing Gum (TV series)

Chewing Gum is a British television sitcom created and written by Michaela Coel, based on her 2012 play Chewing Gum Dreams. It stars Coel and Robert Lonsdale. Set in London, the show follows 24-year-old shop assistant Tracey Gordon, a restricted, religious virgin, who wants to have sex and learn more about the world. The show earned Coel the BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme and Breakthrough Talent.[5][6]

For other uses, see Chewing gum (disambiguation).
Chewing Gum
Genre
Created byMichaela Coel
Based onChewing Gum Dreams
by Michaela Coel
Written byMichaela Coel
Directed by
  • Tom Marshall
  • Simon Neal
Starring
Theme music composer
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • Jon Rolph
  • Nana Hughes
ProducerKelly McGolpin
EditorGavin Buckley
Running time25 minutes
Production companyRetort
DistributorFremantleMedia
Release
Original networkE4
Picture format1080i
Original release6 October 2015 (2015-10-06) –
9 February 2017 (2017-02-09)[4]
External links
Website

The first series debuted on E4 on 13 October 2015 and on Netflix in the United States on 31 October 2016.[7]

Background

In August 2014, Channel 4 announced that Coel was to star in and write a new sitcom called Chewing Gum, inspired by her play Chewing Gum Dreams.[8][9][10] "C4 Comedy Blaps" were released as teasers in September 2014, and the series began on E4 in October 2015.[11] Her performance earned her the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2016; she also won a BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent for writing the show.[12] Chewing Gum received overwhelmingly positive reviews.[13]

Series one premiered on 6 October 2015 until 10 November 2015. On 3 December 2015, E4 ordered a second series; it began broadcasting on 12 January 2017.[14][15]

In April 2017, it was announced by Channel 4 that the show would not be returning for a third series.[16] However, in November 2017, Coel stated via Twitter that she intended to create a third series at some point in the future.[17] In November 2018, Coel made another statement via Twitter confirming that the show wouldn't return for a third series.[18]

Filming locations have included West London Film Studios and the Andover Estate in Holloway, North London.

In season 2 episode 4 "Orlando" the photographer's apartment is the same apartment where the kitchen was used in filming Jamie's 30-Minute Meals series. It is also used in the BBC series Killing Eve Season 2 episode 7 as Oksana's apartment.

Cast

Main

Recurring
  • John MacMillan as Ronald, Tracey's boyfriend for six years
  • Tanya Franks as Mandy, Connor's mother
  • Danielle Isaie as Candice, Tracey's best friend
  • Kadiff Kirwan as Aaron, Candice's boyfriend
  • Susan Wokoma as Cynthia, Tracey's naive sister
  • Shola Adewusi as Joy, Tracey and Cynthia's religious mother
  • Maggie Steed as Esther, Candice's grandmother
  • Olisa Odele as Ola
  • Sarah Hoare as Karly Raven
  • Abby Rakic-Platt as Kristy Raven

Guest

Episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
166 October 2015 (2015-10-06)10 November 2015 (2015-11-10)
2612 January 2017 (2017-01-12)9 February 2017 (2017-02-09)

Series 1 (2015)
Series
No.		 Season
No.		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date
11"Sex and Violence"Tom MarshallMichaela Coel6 October 2015 (2015-10-06)
In hope of not becoming her uptight older sister, Cynthia, Tracey becomes determined to lose her virginity to Ronald, her strictly religious boyfriend of six years. Following a Beyoncé-inspired makeover by her best friend Candice, Tracey goes on a venture to seduce Ronald, but when street poet Connor catches her eye, emotions become mixed, especially when she meets him at a party.
22"Binned"Tom MarshallMichaela Coel13 October 2015 (2015-10-13)
Connor is Tracey's goal now, and she wants to bin Ronald to fulfill her relationship needs. She runs into Connor's mother, Mandy, and is given some off-putting information about his history in romance. However, once she visits Ronald, who is recovering from a car accident, she sees the light when all he can think about is the male nurse aiding him.
33"Possession"Tom MarshallMichaela Coel20 October 2015 (2015-10-20)
During a shift at the shop, Tracey is able to grab a chance to improve her future in a recruitment day. When it turns sour, a member of staff tries to make a deal she might regret. Meanwhile, Cynthia covers Tracey's shift in the shop while she is gone and Candice and her Nan, Esther, attempt to make some money hosting a party selling sex-toys.
44"The Unicorn"Tom MarshallMichaela Coel27 October 2015 (2015-10-27)
Connor and Tracey are having some problems in the bedroom. In order to save what they have, Tracey tries to get advice from her friends but comes across a new app and plans to hold a threesome with a "Unicorn" known as Sacha. Back at home, Cynthia is using Tracey's laptop for some sex-related research but soon is introduced to desperate and strange Seb.
55"The Last Supper"Tom MarshallMichaela Coel3 November 2015 (2015-11-03)
Tracey thinks she can expose Connor's hidden talent in a show for performance poetry, but it goes terribly wrong. Also, Tracey's cousin, Boy Tracey, comes over to visit and gives her a prize she was never expecting to have to face. Cynthia has a life-changing secret to tell her family.
66"Toiled Road"Tom MarshallMichaela Coel10 November 2015 (2015-11-10)
Tracey is kicked out by her mum and is left to move into Candice's house, but is soon driving her crazy. Connor finally gets a job in hope that Tracey will eventually move in with him. It's also the wedding day of Cynthia and Ronald; Tracey must figure out a way to expose Ronald's homosexual feelings and stop her sister from making a terrible mistake.

Series 2 (2017)
Series
No.		 Season
No.		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date
17"WTF Happened?"Tom Marshall & Simon NealMichaela Coel12 January 2017 (2017-01-12)
After three months away, including time in a homeless shelter, Tracey returns to run Deepak's corner shop in his absence. Connor comes in to do repair work and, learning that he has a new girlfriend, Tracey attempts to make him jealous by claiming to be dating famous grime rapper Stormzy.
28"Replacements"Simon NealMichaela Coel19 January 2017 (2017-01-19)
Tracey is busy replacing Connor and Candice with new dates and friends, but her mum sets her some challenging tests before she can move back into the family home.
39"Just Need Some Company"Simon Neal & Tom MarshallMichaela Coel & Rob Hayes26 January 2017 (2017-01-26)
In need of some male company, Tracey agrees to go to a party along with Boy Tracy in an attempt to find someone who thinks she's attractive. Chaos ensues when Tracey, Boy Tracy, Candice, and Aaron end up at a sex club.
410"Orlando"Simon NealMichaela Coel2 February 2017 (2017-02-02)
Tracey is tired of spending time with Connor and his new girlfriend. Cynthia demands an apology from Ronald. Esther gets mistaken for Candice when she sets up a date with a guy she met online.
511"Road Trip"Simon NealMichaela Coel9 February 2017 (2017-02-09)
Tracey and Ola crash Aaron and Candice's "meet the parents" weekend. Candice is fed up of Aaron not being man enough for her. Ola meets some new and exciting people. Meanwhile, Cynthia finally has her sexual awakening.
612"Age Ain't Nothing but a Number"Simon NealMichaela Coel9 February 2017 (2017-02-09)
Now more desperate than ever to lose her virginity, Tracey joins a book club in the hope that she will meet men different from the type she usually goes for, yet as usual not all goes to plan. Karly's due in labour any time now, and the estate pull together to find out who the father is.

References
  1. Barone, Matt; Herrera, Andy (16 November 2018). "The 25 Best Comedy TV Shows Streaming On Netflix Right Now". Complex. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  2. Berman, Judy (30 May 2020). "HBO's I May Destroy You Is an Explosive Portrait of a Life Disrupted by Sexual Assault". Time. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  3. Kaplan, Ilana (11 April 2017). "'Chewing Gum': Meet the Mastermind Behind Netflix's Sex-Obsessed Britcom". Rolling Stone.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-07-25. Retrieved 2020-07-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Michaela Coel's Inspiring Acceptance Speech" (Video). BAFTA TV Awards 2016. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  6. "Female Performance in a Comedy Programme". BAFTA TV Awards 2016. 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2016-12-25.
  7. Heller, Chris (7 January 2017). "What's New on Netflix: October 2016" (published 30 September 2016). Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  8. Buxton, Adam (24 September 2016). "Podcast Ep. 30 – Michaela Coel". Adam-Buxton.co.uk. Archived from the original (Podcast) on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  9. "Interview with Michaela Coel". Channel 4. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016.
  10. Dowell, Ben (6 October 2015). "Chewing Gum writer Michaela Coel talks race, class, comedy sex…and more sex". RadioTimes. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  11. Hattenstone, Simon (4 October 2015). "Filthy, funny and Christian: the many sides of Chewing Gum's Michaela Coel". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  12. Bryant, Taylor (28 November 2016). "Michaela Coel On Her Brilliant Show 'Chewing Gum'". Nylon. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  13. Kang, Inkoo (23 November 2016). "'Chewing Gum' Is A Late Bloomer's Hilarious Quest For Sexual Experience". MTV News. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  14. Brown, Emma (19 December 2016). "The Showrunner". Interview Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  15. Adewunmi, Bim (7 May 2016). "Why I love… Michaela Coel". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  16. Desta, Yohana (22 August 2017). "Goodbye to Michaela Coel's Chewing Gum, a Rare Burst of Joy". Vanity Fair.
  17. Coel, Michaela [@MichaelaCoel] (10 November 2017). "YAS sis , but not now, my boat had sailed by the time the offer came & by now half my cast will be in Hollywood swimming in some sort of environmentally unfriendly pool. It will return (but be prepared to be surprised) lol. Thank u" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. Coel, Michaela [@MichaelaCoel] (13 November 2018). "Oh that's now rendered a redundant statement. Business , conference calls – back tracks – I had to say no tenk u. So so sad for my baby to go. No more Chewig Gum" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 December 2018 – via Twitter.
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