Stand and deliver!

Noel Fielding stars as dandy highwayman Dick Turpin in a colourful comedy

- CAREN CLARK

NEW COMEDY The Completely Made-up Adventures of Dick Turpin From Fri 1 March, Apple TV+ (first two eps from 1 March, then weekly)

Ruthless highwayman Dick Turpin struck terror into the hearts of stagecoach travellers in the 18th century, but what if the murderous robber was really a violence-hating vegan with a cheery disposition and a penchant for flamboyant clothing?

That’s the premise of Apple TV+’s six-part comedy The Completely Made-up Adventures of Dick Turpin, starring Noel Fielding as dashing, kindly Dick, who quits his job as an apprentice butcher and takes to the road to pursue more creative endeavours.

However, Dick gets caught up in a life of crime when he accidentally kills feared highwayman Tom King (David Threlfall) before becoming the new leader of King’s motley band of outlaws, known as the Essex Gang.

As he tries to master the art of highway robbery, Dick clashes with corrupt Thief-taker General Jonathan Wilde (Hugh Bonneville), who is determined to bring him to the gallows, while chilling crime boss Lady Helen Gwinear (Tamsin Greig) also has Dick in her sights.

Here, Fielding, 50, who also co-wrote the show, and Bonneville, 60, tell us more…

What drew you to the story of Dick Turpin?