Man Down is a British sitcom that was broadcast from 18 October 2013 to 29 November 2017 on Channel 4. The series stars Greg Davies as Dan Davies, a man undergoing a midlife crisis.
Channel 4 commissioned an additional 25-minute Christmas special before the first series aired, and a second series was announced during Davies's live tour "The Back of My Mum's Head." Following Rik Mayall's death in June 2014, Davies met with Channel 4 to discuss the future of the show. It had been intended that Mayall's role in the second series would be more prominent than it had been previously. The series returned for a second Christmas special in 2014, a second series in 2015, a third in 2016, and a fourth in 2017.
The majority of scenes were filmed in and around Watford and South Oxhey, Hertfordshire.
Contents
Plot
Forty-something Dan Davies lives with his parents, hates his job as head of drama at Sandalwood School and is suffering a midlife crisis. He frequents Bob's Cafe, where he meets up with Jo and Brian, his friends from school despite both being six years younger than him. His long-term girlfriend Naomi breaks up with him at the beginning of series 1 and he makes several failed attempts to win her back. From the Christmas specials through to the end of series 3, he pursues Emma, a young, highly attractive deputy headmistress. During series 4, they have a son together despite not being a couple.
Cast
Main cast
Greg Davies as Daniel "Dan" Davies
Roisin Conaty as Jo Bellingham
Mike Wozniak as Brian Clive Ames
Gwyneth Powell as Polly Davies (Mum)
Rik Mayall as Richard Davies (Dad) (series 1 - 2013 special)
Deirdre Mullins as Naomi (series 1)
Jeany Spark as Emma Lipsey
Stephanie Cole as Nesta (2014 special – series 4)
Verity Drew Firth as Lucy (Dan's niece, Dad's granddaughter)
Recurring cast
Ashley McGuire as Shakira
Madeleine Harris as Karen (series 1–3)
Alfie Davis as Dennis (series 1–3)
Frankie Akhurst as Robin (series 2–3)
George Bothamley as Maurice (series 1)
Geoffrey Sergison as Mickey Two Face
Stephen Morrison as Tony the Community Officer
Annette Badland as Mrs Wigmore (series 1–2)
Ramon Tikaram as Dom (series 1–2)
Daniel Adegboyega as Sam (series 2–4)
Elliot Levey as Mr Hogan (series 2–4)
Steven Berkoff as Mr Klackov (series 3)
Mark Hamill as Bob (series 3)
Tony Robinson as Daedalus aka 'Daddy' (series 3-4)
Isy Suttie as Ally (series 3–4)
Ruth Bratt as Carol (series 4)
Rhianna Joy Hosmer as Josephine (series 4)
Michael Bunani as Jason (series 4)
Sam Hunt as Kevin (series 4)
Max Gill as Gregory (series 4)
Writers
Greg Davies
Stephen Morrison
Sian Harries
Ed Gamble
Mike Wozniak
Richard Herring (additional material)
Andrew Collins (script editor)
Barry Castagnola
Lloyd Langford
Roisin Conaty
Carl Rice
Episodes
Series 4 (2017)
On 8 November 2016 Greg Davies officially confirmed the renewal of the show for a fourth series consisting of six episodes.
Cancellation
In 2017, Channel 4 announced it would not be renewing Man Down for a fifth series.
International broadcast
The series premiered in Australia on 12 January 2015 on SBS One.
