Staged

A British comedy television series from 2020, created by Simon Evans and Phin Glynn, offering a satirical take on actors' lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The narrative centers on renowned actors David Tennant and Michael Sheen, portraying fictionalized versions of themselves attempting to rehearse Luigi Pirandello's play "Six Characters in Search of an Author" via videoconferencing during lockdown. Director Simon (played by Simon Evans) struggles to manage the production and keep the actors focused amidst their egos and personal distractions. The series also features Georgia Tennant (David Tennant's wife), Anna Lundberg (Michael Sheen's partner), Lucy Eaton (Simon's sister), among others. The second season delves into the aftermath of the first season's success, with Simon developing an American remake without involving David and Michael, leading to their confusion and resentment. The third season, titled "BackStaged," begins with Simon's attempts to persuade the actors to participate in a Christmas production but gradually evolves into a meta-documentary about the making of the series itself. The show received critical acclaim for its originality, humor, and performances, particularly highlighting the chemistry between Tennant and Sheen. It premiered on June 10, 2020, on BBC One, with subsequent seasons released on BritBox, totaling three seasons including a special New Year's episode.