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Chewing Gum (TV series)

Chewing Gum is a British television sitcom created and written by Michaela Coel, based on her 2012 play Chewing Gum Dreams. It stars Coel as 24-year-old shop assistant Tracey Gordon, a restricted, religious virgin, who wants to have sex and learn more about the world. The show earned Coel the BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme and Breakthrough Talent.

The first series debuted on E4 on 13 October 2015 and on Netflix in the United States on 31 October 2016. The series was removed from Netflix in April 2020 and became available on HBO Max in February 2021.

Background

In August 2014, Channel 4 announced that Coel was to star in and write a new sitcom called Chewing Gum, inspired by her play Chewing Gum Dreams. "C4 Comedy Blaps" were released as teasers in September 2014, and the series began on E4 in October 2015. Her performance earned her the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2016; she also won a BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent for writing the show. Chewing Gum received overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Series one premiered on 6 October 2015 until 10 November 2015. On 3 December 2015, E4 ordered a second series; it began broadcasting on 12 January 2017.

In April 2017, it was announced by Channel 4 that the show would not be returning for a third series. However, in November 2017, Coel stated via Twitter that she intended to create a third series at some point in the future. In November 2018, Coel made another statement via Twitter confirming that the show wouldn't return for a third series.

Filming locations have included West London Film Studios and the Andover Estate in Holloway, North London.

Cast

Michaela Coel as Tracey Gordon
Danielle Isaie as Candice, Tracey's best friend
Robert Lonsdale as Connor Jones
John MacMillan as Ronald, Tracey's boyfriend for six years
Tanya Franks as Mandy, Connor's mother
Kadiff Kirwan as Aaron, Candice's boyfriend
Susan Wokoma as Cynthia, Tracey's naive sister
Shola Adewusi as Joy, Tracey and Cynthia's religious mother
Maggie Steed as Esther, Candice's grandmother
Olisa Odele as Ola
Sarah Hoare as Karly Raven
Abby Rakic-Platt as Kristy Raven

Guest

Cynthia Erivo as Magdalene (series 1)
Jonathan Bailey as Ash (series 2)
Vera Chok as Penelope (series 2)

Episodes

Series 1 (2015)

Series 2 (2017)

Reception

Critical response

The series received critical acclaim upon its release. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 100%, based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 9/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Deftly juggling its Christian convictions and crude intentions, Chewing Gum is balanced by a brazen performance from series creator Michaela Coel." Filipa Jodelka from The Guardian praised Micaela Coel's performance commending her "incredible timing, warmth and gift for physical comedy". Reid Nakamura from The Wrap called the program an "underrated gem is worth a watch".

The second season was also received positively. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 100%, based on 16 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Chewing Gum's surreal charm and button-pushing comedy are doubled in its absurdly brilliant second season" Writing for The Guardian, Sam Wollaston called the show "hilariously filthy", praising Coel's performance and involvement in the program. Mike Hale from The New York Times praised the season though he considered the first season better, he commented that while towards the last few episodes "Ms. Coel starts to run short of ideas", there are episodes and moments "equal of the tremendous first season".