Dawn French brings her trademark energy and wildness to Debbie Fendon in the new sitcom Can You Keep a Secret?, a role that's reminiscent of her iconic character in Vicar of Dibley. The show follows Debbie, who, along with her recently widowed husband William, has concocted an elaborate scheme to keep him 'dead' after his medication mix-up mistake, which resulted in him being declared deceased by a germ-phobic doctor. This deception was orchestrated to secure the life insurance payout, which they've cleverly stashed away in a large holdall under the stairs.
French's performance is impressive, as she effortlessly switches between Debbie's quirky determination and her more vulnerable side. The chemistry between French and Mark Heap, who plays William, adds depth to their characters' relationship. William, a reclusive individual, has become even more isolated after his 'death,' leading to some humorous moments as Debbie tries to coax him out of his shell.
The supporting cast is also well-crafted, particularly Craig Roberts as Harry, the son who's struggling with the deception and its consequences. His wife, Neha, played by Mandip Gill, adds a layer of complexity to the story as she navigates her professional duties as a police officer while trying to keep her personal life in order.
While not every joke lands, particularly some duff lines that fall flat, Can You Keep a Secret? effectively uses its witty banter and comedic timing to charm viewers. The show's underlying melancholy, which occasionally veers into bitterness, adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. It's clear that Simon Mayhew-Archer has taken inspiration from his father's work in traditional British sitcoms, such as Vicar of Dibley.
As the story unfolds, Harry finds himself entangled in a web of blackmail and deception, while Debbie and William must navigate their complicated situation. The show's pacing is well-balanced, with some tense moments and others that are laugh-out-loud funny. Despite not breaking new ground, French and Mayhew-Archer pull off the tried-and-true formula with aplomb.
Ultimately, Can You Keep a Secret? has all the ingredients of a soothing, feel-good comedy – warmth, wit, and charm – making it an enjoyable watch for those seeking a lighter fare. For fans of farce, however, they may find themselves laughing even harder at the show's more outrageous moments.
French's performance is impressive, as she effortlessly switches between Debbie's quirky determination and her more vulnerable side. The chemistry between French and Mark Heap, who plays William, adds depth to their characters' relationship. William, a reclusive individual, has become even more isolated after his 'death,' leading to some humorous moments as Debbie tries to coax him out of his shell.
The supporting cast is also well-crafted, particularly Craig Roberts as Harry, the son who's struggling with the deception and its consequences. His wife, Neha, played by Mandip Gill, adds a layer of complexity to the story as she navigates her professional duties as a police officer while trying to keep her personal life in order.
While not every joke lands, particularly some duff lines that fall flat, Can You Keep a Secret? effectively uses its witty banter and comedic timing to charm viewers. The show's underlying melancholy, which occasionally veers into bitterness, adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. It's clear that Simon Mayhew-Archer has taken inspiration from his father's work in traditional British sitcoms, such as Vicar of Dibley.
As the story unfolds, Harry finds himself entangled in a web of blackmail and deception, while Debbie and William must navigate their complicated situation. The show's pacing is well-balanced, with some tense moments and others that are laugh-out-loud funny. Despite not breaking new ground, French and Mayhew-Archer pull off the tried-and-true formula with aplomb.
Ultimately, Can You Keep a Secret? has all the ingredients of a soothing, feel-good comedy – warmth, wit, and charm – making it an enjoyable watch for those seeking a lighter fare. For fans of farce, however, they may find themselves laughing even harder at the show's more outrageous moments.
dawn french is literally hilarious as debbie fendon i love how quirky she is but also super vulnerable 
and mark heap is perfect as her hubby william 
their chemistry is so good! 
the supporting cast is fire too esp craig roberts as harry his storyline has me dying lol 
I did find some of the jokes a bit hit or miss, but overall I'm really enjoying this show 
. But what really gets me is how well-balanced the pacing is, it's like they knew exactly how much to mix in humor and heartache 
. I mean, I was laughing out loud at some of the jokes, but also feeling kinda bad for Harry 
. Not perfect, but it's a solid effort, and if you're looking for something light and fun, this is def worth checking out 
. The supporting cast is solid too, especially Craig Roberts as Harry – his character's struggles really add depth to the story 
. And let's be real, Dawn French is just too funny in this role – she's like a breath of fresh air 
! Her energy is infectious and she brings so much depth to her character, it's amazing to see. The chemistry between French and Mark Heap as William is also so sweet, they're like the ultimate odd couple 
. Can't wait to watch more episodes! 
. The supporting cast is really well done, Mandip Gill as William's wife adds such depth to the story. I love how it starts out all light-hearted and funny, but then gets a bit darker and more serious. It's like a big ol' warm hug for your funny bone 
I've watched this new sitcom Can You Keep a Secret? and I gotta say, Dawn French is on point as Debbie! 
and mark heap is amazing too, their chemistry is REAL 
.
Just seems like too much to me. Still, I'll give the show credit - it's pretty funny and the supporting cast is solid. But do we really need another sitcom about people messing around with each other's lives?