This is part 2 of my interview with Charlie and in this episode his offcuts include an episode of Dr Who, a horror version of a Disney cartoon classic and a black comedy film written for some of the regulars in the Fast Show.

CAST: Nigel Pilkington, Kenny Blyth, Noni Lewis, Christopher Kent, Shash Hira, Keith Wickham, Beth Chalmers

Charlie Higson has worked across comedy, drama and fiction for more than three decades. He co-created and performed in The Fast Show, has written for and produced a range of television series, and is the author of multiple novels, including the Young James Bond books and the Enemy series. His screenwriting includes Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) and Swiss Toni, alongside regular acting roles. This is the second part of his Offcuts Drawer interview; you can listen to Part 1 here.

For more details about Charlie, his offcuts and the actors performing them see the episode show notes:

The Offcuts Drawer - Charlie Higson, Part 2

Screenwriter, comedian, showrunner, actor, novelist, podcaster, musician, singer... Charlie shares so many projects from his long and varied career that we didn't have time to fit them all into 1 episode - so listen out for part 2 coming shortly. This episode's abandoned, unfinished and rejected writing projects include a film best described as A Christmas Carol meets Channel 4's Star Stories, a TV drama series about the early life of a political icon and a Monty Python mash-up.

CAST: Nigel Pilkington, Kenny Blyth, Noni Lewis, Christopher Kent, Shash Hira, Keith Wickham, Emma Clarke

Charlie Higson first came to prominence as lead singer of The Higsons before moving into comedy writing and performance. Alongside Paul Whitehouse he wrote for Harry Enfield and then co-created The Fast Show, becoming one of its key writers and central cast members throughout its BBC run and later specials. His television and film writing includes the feature Suite 16, the revival of Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) as writer, actor and showrunner, and the creation of Swiss Toni as well as creating the 2015 ITV drama series Jekyll & Hyde.

As a novelist, Higson wrote adult crime fiction before being commissioned to create the Young James Bond series, delivering five titles between 2005 and 2008. He followed this with the seven-book post-apocalyptic saga The Enemy. He also wrote the Fighting Fantasy title The Gates of Death and returned to the Bond universe in 2023 with On His Majesty’s Secret Service.

He is the creator and presenter of the history podcast Willy Willy Harry Stee, and author of the companion book illustrated by Jim Moir aka Vic Reeves, while continuing to write, produce and perform across screen and audio.

For more details about Charlie, his offcuts and the actors performing them see the episode show notes:

The Offcuts Drawer - Charlie Higson, Part 1

The creator of Yes Minister shares clips of his abandoned screenplays and theatre scripts along with tales of his work in Hollywood and beyond, as he prepares for the West End opening of the final instalment: Sorry Prime Minister.

CAST: Keith Wickham, Beth Chalmers, Shash Hira, Christopher Kent, Kenny Blyth, Emma Clarke

Jonathan Lynn is a multifaceted figure in British entertainment: a film director, screenwriter, actor, and author. At Cambridge University he joined the Cambridge Footlights and performed in their Broadway production Cambridge Circus alongside cast members such as John Cleese and Graham Chapmen

He has directed a number of well-known comedy films, such as Clue and Nuns on the Run (both of which he also wrote), My Cousin Vinny, and The Whole Nine Yards. In television, his most prominent work is the creation (with Antony Jay) of the political satire series Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.

In addition to his screen work, Lynn has written novels and stage plays. His publications include Comedy Rules, the novel Mayday and several volumes connected to Yes Minister. He has received awards for his writing, including the BAFTA Writers Award.

For more details about Jonathan, his offcuts and the actors performing them see the episode show notes:

offcutsdrawer.com/jonathan-lynn