My Herois a Britishtelevisionsitcom,created byPaul Mendelson,and produced for theBBCbetween 2000 and 2006.[1]The series follows the exploits of an alien superhero known as "Thermoman" - a multi-powered superhero who originates from the planet Ultron - during his time between missions after falling in love with a British nurse he rescued. Although incredibly intelligent amongst his kind, Thermoman is unfamiliar with human life, which not only leads others to consider him dim-witted and idiotic, but also causes problems due to his many misunderstandings.
| My Hero | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Paul Mendelson |
| Written by | Paul Mayhew-Archer |
| Directed by | John Stroud |
| Starring | |
| Opening theme | "My Hero" Theme |
| Ending theme | "My Hero" Theme |
| Composer | Philip Pope |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No.of seasons | 6 |
| No.of episodes | 51(list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Editors |
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| Camera setup | Multiple-camera setup |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Big Bear Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 4 February 2000– 10 September 2006 |
The main role of Thermoman was portrayed byArdal O'Hanlonup until 2005, before he was replaced byJames Dreyfusfor the final series. The cast itself remained largely unchanged throughout its broadcast history, and includedEmily Joyce,Lill Roughley,Tim Wylton,Lou Hirsch,Hugh Dennis,Geraldine McNulty,andPhilip Whitchurch.Unlike most British sitcoms, Mendelson co-wrote episode scripts with a large team of writers. Each series also featured a varying number of episodes, with the first and second series containing six episodes, series three through five containing 10 episodes each and series six containing 8 episodes,[2]with a Christmas Special for 2000.[3]
Despite its viewing figures going into decline by the time of Dreyfus' appearance, the show remained a regular feature on British television, being regularly repeated onGoldin theUnited Kingdom.In theUnited States,the series was shown onPBSand, briefly,BBC America.InAustralia,UKTVoffered re-runs of the first three series, whileBBC Entertainmentprovided repeats forScandinavia.Three of the six series have been released on DVD; two onRegion 1 DVDand one on Region 2.[4]Fans have since petitioned theBBCto release the complete series on DVD.[5]
Premise
editThe series focuses on the life of George Sunday, a man who comes off as idiotic, but who in reality is a superhero from the planet Ultron known as "Thermoman", who serves to safeguard humanity and the Earth, and Janet Dawkins, a British nurse who works at a local surgery in the London town of Northolt, whom George falls in love with after saving her life. The series focuses on the couple's efforts to cope with numerous problems that occur to them during their relationship, including dealing with Janet's obnoxius parents and the self-centered doctor whom she works for, and George's many misunderstandings of human culture, societial values and traits.
After the second series, the writers added in additional elements surrounding the couple being married and having children of Ultronian origin - capable of speech, intelligence and super powers for their infant age - and coping with issues surrounding their family lives. In the sixth series, George loses his old body, and replaces it with a new one that he gives the alias of George Monday, taking up work as a doctor alongside Piers at his surgery.
Cast
edit
- Ardal O'Hanlonas George Sunday AKA "Thermoman" (Series 1–5) - A dim-witted superhero, intelligent on alien matters, but completely unable to understand human society and values.
- James Dreyfusas George Monday AKA "Thermoman" (Series 6) - George's new alias after losing his old one due to financial troubles, who shows some intelligence but is still misunderstanding human culture.
- Emily Joyceas Janet Dawkins - A British nurse and George's lover, who often struggles with the alien aspects of his life and people.
- Lill Roughleyas Ella Dawkins - Janet's obnoxious mother.
- Tim Wyltonas Stanley Dawkins - Janet's mildly obnoxious father.
- Lou Hirsch as Arnie Kowalski - George's cousin, and a former superhero who was stripped of his powers for abusing them. Initially written to living in the US, the third series saw writers relocate him to Northolt and develop a relationship with Mrs. Raven.
- Hugh Dennisas Dr. Piers Crispin - A self-centred, pompous TV doctor who runs his own surgery in Northolt and regularly looks for ways to increase his fame and popularity.
- Geraldine McNultyas Mrs. Raven - Piers' surgery receptionist, a vindictive, sadistic woman with a cruel liking for basking in other people's misery.
- Philip Whitchurchas Tyler - George and Janet's next-door neighbour, who suffers delusions and hallucinations that cause him to mix up fictional elements, most from science-fiction, fantasy and conspiracy theories, with real-life. He is the only one to know of George's real identity. After the first series, the writers gave him more prominence, including being George's assistant at his shop.
- Moya Bradyas Avril (Series 1) - George's assistant in his shop. The character was written out after the first series.
- Pat Kelmanas the Ultron Postie (Series 3–6) - Ultronian postman who delivers correspondence to George on Earth
- Finlay Stroud as Apollo "Ollie" Sunday (Series 2–6) - George and Janet's son. He is highly intelligent in human life, compared to his father, with his superpowers.
- Madeline Mortimer as Cassandra "Cassie" Sunday (series 5–6) - George and Janet's daughter, highly intelligent, possessing the power of premonition and foresight.
Episodes
editHome media
editIn the United States, the series has been released on DVD viaBBC Video;"Season One" was released on 16 January 2007,[6]while "Season Two" was released on 7 August 2007.[7]The sets are now currently out-of-print and no subsequent seasons have been made available onregion 1.
In the United Kingdom, Series Three was the only series to receive a home video release. The "Complete Series 3" was released on VHS on 7 October 2002 via IMC Vision,[8]while two DVD sets, "Volume 1" (episodes 1–5 of Series 3),[9]and "Volume 2" (episodes 6–10 of Series 3) were also released on 7 October 2002.[10][11]A DVD set containing "Complete Series 3" was additionally made available from IMC Vision on 14 May 2012.[12]
As of 2024, it has not been announced ifMy Herowill receive any subsequent series releases, or a complete series box set.
Series one and two ofMy Herobecame available to stream in the UK viaBritBoxfrom 10 March 2022.[13][14]Seasons 1 & 2 as well as the additions of Seasons 3 & 4 was added to BritBox via ITVX as of 18 February 2024[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^My Heroat the BBC Comedy Guide.
- ^My Heroat Big Bear Films home page
- ^"My Heroepisode guide and forum ".TV.
- ^My Heroat BBC America.
- ^My HeroNews, episode guide and interviews at downthetubes.net
- ^"My Hero: Season One DVD".Blu-ray.Retrieved9 July2018.
- ^"My Hero: Season Two DVD".Blu-ray.Retrieved9 July2018.
- ^"My Hero: The Complete Series 3 [VHS] [2000]".Amazon.co.uk. 7 October 2002.Retrieved9 July2018.
- ^"My Hero - BBC Series 3 - Episodes 1-5 - Starring Ardal O'Hanlon, Emily Joyce, Hugh Dennis and Lou Hirsch [DVD]".Amazon.co.uk. 7 October 2002.Retrieved9 July2018.
- ^"My Hero - BBC Series 3 - Episodes 1-5 - Starring Ardal O'Hanlon, Emily Joyce, Hugh Dennis and Lou Hirsch [DVD]".Amazon.co.uk. 7 October 2002.Retrieved9 July2018.
- ^"My Hero - BBC Series 3 - Episodes 6-10 - Starring Ardal O'Hanlon, Emily Joyce, Hugh Dennis and Lou Hirsch [DVD]".Amazon.co.uk. 7 October 2002.Retrieved9 July2018.
- ^"My Hero - Complete Series 3 - BBC1 Starring Ardal O'Hanlon, Emily Joyce, Hugh Dennis & Lou Hirsch [DVD]".Amazon.co.uk. 14 May 2012.Retrieved9 July2018.
- ^Goren, Or (18 February 2022)."Coming To BritBox UK March 2022: Sandition's Return".cordbusters.co.uk.Retrieved9 March2022.
- ^"New on BritBox in the UK: What's added in March 2022?".britishperioddramas.1 March 2022.Retrieved9 March2022.
- ^https:// itv /watch/my-hero/10a2177[bare URL]
