Why You Should Watch… Spokke

By Becky Holderness

Winner of “Best Script” at Short Com Film Festival and awarded second place in the “Funniest Film” category, alongside a raft of other awards, Spokke is a scandi-noir like no other. A visually stunning and cleverly-scripted series by Tim Grewcock and Shaun Lowthian, it is a fantastic addition to Comedy Crowd TV. From the outset, Spokke has the feel of a high-budget tv drama, written with a dry and witty humour that will have you immediately hooked.

The acting is understated, the setting and soundtrack atmospheric, and every little detail carefully considered. Alison Thea-Skot delivers a fantastic performance as disgruntled mortician Greta, with Grewcock and Lowthian bouncing off each other as a comedic double-act. Katharine Bennett-Fox (from Borderline, and the TV adaptation of Four Weddings and a Funeral) stars as Gloucestershire Police Chief Peta Holm and Charlie Kemp as Somerset Mayor Graham Splayne (Emmerdale, Judge John Deed, White Gold).

Spokke opens with a terrified cyclist being chased through the streets. Following her plight, the mangled remnants of a brutal homicide are found on the border between Gloucestershire and Somerset. Two rival detectives from the neighbouring counties must join forces to catch the murderer. It’s a typical police investigation in many ways … except for the fact that the victim isn’t a human but is in fact a bike.

With all the serious talk of asphyxiation, suspects and next-of-kin, you’d think you were watching a serious police noir drama. Within minutes, however, it’s made clear that what has reduced cyclist, Begita, to tears is seeing her dearest and most beloved bike brutally murdered.

A professionally executed comedy-drama, Spokke is geared towards the viewer looking for a subtle comedy. This five-episode series certainly showcases some emerging talent, which we’ll hopefully see more of in the future. Who’d have thought you could become so emotionally invested in the hunt for a bike killer?

The full mini-series of Spokke is exclusively available on Comedy Crowd TV. Click here to sign up and see more of the best independent comedy.