Threesome (British TV series)

Did You Know?

• The series was remade in Finland in 2017 as Kolmistaan.
• BBC Worldwide released the series to download on the iTunes Store on 17 October 2011.
• Series 1 became available on DVD through 2 Entertain on 12 November 2012.

Premise

The sitcom centres on three friends nearing age 30: Alice, who lives with her boyfriend Mitch and their gay best friend Richie. After a birthday party, they have an unplanned threesome and Alice becomes pregnant. Mitch, discovering he is infertile, tells Richie he is the biological father. The trio decides to have the baby and raise her together as co-parents.

Characters and cast

Alice Heston (Amy Huberman) is the female lead; her long-term friendship with Richie leads to her relationship with Mitch. Mitch Ennis (Stephen Wight) meets Richie at his brother's funeral, and a blind date leads to Mitch and Alice dating. Richie Valentine (Emun Elliott) is best friends with Alice and Mitch but unable to commit despite an active love life. Lily Owen Valentine-Ennis is the baby born in the first series finale, set to be a main cast member in the second series. Lorraine Heston (Pauline McLynn) is Alice's domineering, glamour-obsessed mother who lives in Tenerife. Sue Ennis (Paddy Navin) is Mitch's down-to-earth, caring mother. Jenny Rouse (Joanna Roth) is Richie's impeccably styled mother who wants him to find a partner. Dave (Adam Garcia) is Richie's boyfriend.

Reception

Critical response to the series was mostly positive. Russell Tovey praised it, and Catriona Wightman of Digital Spy called it 'really rather good indeed.' The British Comedy Guide found it 'thoroughly enjoyable' with great set-piece lines. Catherine Gee of The Daily Telegraph noted 'plenty of good chemistry between its stars.' Lucy Mangan of The Guardian wrote that 'when it's not trying to be funny, Threesome is very funny,' while Martin Skegg of the same paper gave a negative review, saying 'you'll be searching high and low for the jokes.' David Crawford of the Radio Times gave a highly positive review, praising 'hearty, and frequently filthy, laughs.' Liam Murphy of On the Box gave a mixed review, calling it 'a sitcom with potential.' In January 2013, the British Comedy Guide awarded the show the Comedy.co.uk Editors' Award.