Written by Sharon Horgan (Pulling) and Holly Walsh, Dead Boss is a new comedy with a little murder mystery thrown in.
The six-part series stars Sharon alongside Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous), Bryony Hannah, Geoff McGivern, Ricky Champ, Tom Goodman-Hill, as well as cameo appearances from Caroline Quentin, Miranda Richardson, John Sessions and Carl Barat.
Episode 1
Thursday 14th June 2012, 10.30pm
When Helen (Sharon Horgan) is wrongly sentenced to 12 years in prison for the murder of her boss, she is sure it is only a matter of time before this horrible mistake is sorted. However everyone around Helen seems to be conspiring to keep her on the inside…
Helen’s fiancé and alibi, Justin (Barnaby Kay) has mysteriously disappeared, while Helen’s self-obsessed sister Laura (Aisling Bea) is busy taking over her old life, flat and job. Then there’s Henry (Edward Hogg), her infatuated colleague who realises his prison visits are the only guaranteed way to spend time with her. Helen also has to cope with Tony (Geoff McGivern), her hapless lawyer, who promises ‘no win some fee’.
This first episode sees Helen struggling with the challenges of her new life in Broadmarsh Prison. From Margaret (Jennifer Saunders), the governor, who sees prisoners as an irritation and Christine (Bryony Hannah), Helen’s arsonist cellmate who just wants a hug, to Top Dog (Lizzie Roper), the big cheese among the inmates who takes an instant dislike to Helen.
Episode 2
Thursday 14th June 2012, 11pm
Life is made more bearable for Helen (Sharon Horgan) when Governor Margaret (Jennifer Saunders) announces the annual prison quiz – promising prizes of a tin of biscuits and a supersize bottle of conditioner.
Helen however has her eye on a very unusual and extremely tempting first prize. But will her specialist knowledge of Jennifer Aniston trivia and Glacial Moraine from her long forgotten geography degree be enough to get her through? Not if Top Dog (Lizzie Roper) has anything to do with it…
Helen’s sister Laura (Aisling Bea) meanwhile is finding that her life is being taken over by Helen’s. Or is that the other way round? And Tony (Geoff McGivern) has received some mysterious threats.
Episode 3
Thursday 21st June 2012, 10.30pm
Christine has been sent to Germany on a prison exchange. Helen is instructed by Governor Margaret to look after their German guest, Gertrude Verna. Gertie is in prison for murdering and eating her husband and is a celebrity with several books to her name.
Helen finds it difficult to keep Gertie out of trouble as Gertie makes it clear what she thinks of her fellow prisoners. Meanwhile incompetent lawyer Tony may be back on the case and investigations in the Entirely Tiles office continue.
Episode 4
Thursday 28th June 2012, 10.30pm
Frustrated with the lack of progress with her appeal, Helen (Sharon Horgan) takes matters into her own hands and decides to study the law. Top Dog (Lizzie Roper) has fired her posse, and feeling lost without a leader they decide to appoint Helen in her place.
Incompetent lawyer Tony (Geoff McGivern) goes snooping at the Entirely Tiles offices and the new MD, widow Mrs Bridges (Emma Pierson), becomes suspicious.
Episode 5
Thursday 5th July 2012, 10.30pm
Margaret (Jennifer Saunders) announces plans for the annual prison choir competition, where the inmates of Broadmarsh have been drawn against Woolley Grange, which has a reputation for choral excellence and a star singer called Nigel (Carl Barat).
Helen (Sharon Horgan) auditions, hoping to become lead vocalist until the surprise appearance of Virna (Caroline Quentin). There’s more excitement on the night of the contest as the inter-prison sing off is judged by legendary DJ Tony Blackburn.
Meanwhile Laura (Aisling Bea) and Justin (Barnaby Kay) are worrying about their finances and lawyer Tony (Geoff McGivern) is suspicious of Henry’s (Edward Hogg) motives. Widow Mrs Bridges (Emma Pierson) makes an interesting discovery.
Episode 6
Thursday 12th July 2012, 10.30pm
Helen (Sharon Horgan) is moved to D Wing where she is befriended by white collar criminal Jo (Miranda Richardson), much to the distress of Christine (Bryony Hannah). Helen is hopeful she will be released now that her alibi and fiancé Justin (Barnaby Kay) has been found.
Governor Margaret (Jennifer Saunders) discovers she is being transferred to a new prison. But what lengths will Margaret go to in order to keep her job? And Henry (Edward Hogg) makes a gruesome discovery.
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