The future of Noel Fielding’s Dick Turpin comedy revealed after star’s shock exit
There may still be a future for Noel Fielding’s comedy series The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.
The actor reportedly left the show mid-production during filming for season two of the series, meaning it seemed we wouldn’t get any more of the highwayman’s silly adventures- much to the disappointment of fans.
But it seems all may not be lost after all. Producers are reportedly trying to use the footage they have from the weeks of filming before Fielding’s departure to cut together an hour-long special.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘It’s now considered to be something of a salvage operation, although its not clear whether they have enough to do anything with.
‘But the creators sank millions into making the show and it was around 70 to 80 per cent filmed by the time the axe fell.’
The source went on to say that it would be tough for everyone involved to see all their hard work go to waste, though it remains unclear if the guest stars set to appear in series two will make it into the special.
The guest stars were said to have included big names like Jason Isaacs, Dawn French, and Miranda Richardson.
First airing a year ago, the Apple TV+ show started filming for season two in the fall, but was forced to shut down after the 51-year-old Bake Off host reportedly failed to return to set after the production’s Christmas break.
Initially, this sudden change was said to be caused by ‘the illness of a cast member’.
A spokesperson for Noel told MailOnline: ‘This is a private and confidential matter regarding our client’s health.
‘We are saddened by the decision to cease production but we cannot make any further comment on this matter.’
A source told The Times that the decision to scrap filming was not ‘taken lightly’, insisting that they have ‘exhausted’ every possible solution.
The insider said: ‘Noel has said that he can’t film anymore and so there was no choice but to stop.’
More recently, it’s been reported that over 100 members of the cast and crew are considering a class action lawsuit against the higher ups involved in the show, as it was seemingly shutdown in the middle of production.
‘Axing a show halfway through production is virtually unheard of — plus there’s a mystery over just what has happened,’ a source told The Sun at the time.
‘It’s left bosses of other shows he is on feeling extremely nervous. Plus he’ll have to contend with any legal action. It will be a difficult few months for him.’
The source went on to say that the people behind the show’s creation were left being bewildered by Fielding’s sudden exit, given how much time, money, and energy went into preparation for the second season.
The publication also claimed Noel had ‘left the country and is now believed to be somewhere in France’.
Often compared to Monty Python, the show was a critical success and amassed legions of fans who loved the clever one-liners and general absurdity the show had to offer.
Set in the 18th century, the British comedy is a fictional take on the life of Essex Gang leader Dick Turpin, who commits petty crimes with the hope of becoming the country’s greatest highwayman.
The future of Noel Fielding’s Dick Turpin comedy revealed after star’s shock exit