Henpocalypse!
A hen-do meets crab measles apocalypse.
Henpocalypse! is a British comedy series from 2023, broadcast on BBC Two between 15 August and 19 September. The plot centres on a group of women from Birmingham who are on a hen party in a remote part of North Wales. Unbeknownst to them and their hired male stripper, a disease called crab measles is spreading, threatening to end human civilisation.
The main cast includes Lucie Shorthouse as Zara, Callie Cooke as Shelly, Elizabeth Berrington as Bern, Kate O'Flynn as Jen, and Lauren O'Rourke as Veena. Supporting roles are played by Catherine Ayers, George Somner, Kaine Zajaz, Mariam Haque, Roya Amini, Tasha James, Ben McGregor, Danny Dyer (as himself), and Jess as Barney the Dog.
The six-part series, with episodes running 30 minutes each, was commissioned in July 2022 for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Caroline Moran wrote the series, with Holly Walsh and Jack Clough directing. Executive producers are Phil Clarke, Helen Williams, and Roberto Troni. The show was produced by Various Artists Limited, the production company of Phil Clarke.
Casting includes Elizabeth Berrington, Lucie Shorthouse, Callie Cooke, Lauren O'Rourke, and Kate O'Flynn in the main roles. Screenwriter Moran personally emailed Danny Dyer to request his cameo appearance.
Filming took place in early 2023, with locations including Pensby Boys School on the Wirral and areas in North Wales such as Abergele, Llanfair Talhaiarn, and Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range.
The programme premiered on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom on 15 August 2023.
Reception was mixed. David Craig in *The Radio Times* called it "totally daft but unashamedly so," with fun for those willing to join in. Rebecca Nicholson in *The Guardian* described it as a "big, robust comedy" that "isn't for the faint-hearted." *The Times* made it a Critics' choice, calling it "coarse, amoral and seriously funny." Frances Taylor in *The Radio Times* said it was "bold, brash and a lot of fun." *The Daily Telegraph* found it "gleefully broad and raucously entertaining." However, Rachel Cooke in *The New Statesman* criticised the comedy as "relentlessly laboured" and full of "faux-feminist puerility."
- Type
- Television series
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Network
- BBC Two
- First aired
- 15 August 2023
- Last aired
- 19 September 2023
- Episodes
- 6
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
Lore & Background
Henpocalypse! was commissioned in July 2022 as a six-part series of 30-minute episodes for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. The series was written by Caroline Moran, with Holly Walsh and Jack Clough serving as directors. Executive producers included Phil Clarke, Helen Williams, and Roberto Troni, and the series was produced by Various Artists Limited, the production company of Phil Clarke.
Did You Know?
- Danny Dyer appears as himself after screenwriter Moran personally emailed him to request the cameo.
- Filming locations included Pensby Boys School on the Wirral and sites in North Wales such as Abergele and Moel Famau.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Henpocalypse!?
Henpocalypse! is a six-episode British comedy series that aired on BBC Two in the summer of 2023. It blends the chaos of a bachelorette trip with a full-blown apocalyptic threat, earning the tagline 'a hen-do meets crab measles apocalypse.'
Who are the main characters in Henpocalypse!?
The central group of friends is played by Lucie Shorthouse (Zara), Callie Cooke (Shelly), Elizabeth Berrington (Bern), Kate O'Flynn (Jen), and Lauren O'Rourke (Veena). They are all women from Birmingham who find themselves stranded together during the outbreak.
What is the plot of Henpocalypse!?
A group of Birmingham women travel to a remote stretch of North Wales for a hen party, bringing along a hired male stripper. While they are enjoying the celebration, a deadly disease dubbed 'crab measles' begins spreading and puts the survival of human civilisation at risk.
Where and when can I watch Henpocalypse!?
The series was broadcast exclusively on BBC Two in the United Kingdom, running from 15 August to 19 September 2023. All six episodes were released within that roughly five-week window.
Why is Henpocalypse! notable in the post-apocalyptic genre?
Rather than featuring soldiers or scientists fighting the end of the world, the show puts a group of hen-party friends and a reluctant stripper at the centre of the apocalypse. This comedic, character-driven take on civilisational collapse sets it apart from more serious disaster narratives.
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