Douglas is Cancelled: Steven Moffat Sets Upcoming New Comedy-Drama

Douglas Is Cancelled is about – surprise! – cancel culture. Hugh Bonneville plays a middle-aged and widely respected news anchor called Douglas Bellowes, while Gillan stars as his canny sidekick Madeline. Douglas lives a perfect life. He enjoys his privileged status as a national treasure and host of the current affairs show "Live at Six" while off-air, he shares a harmonious home with his wife Sheila, a newspaper editor.

"To torment a man, let alone a man named Douglas, for four episodes — armed with the writing of Steven Moffat — is a great privilege that I'm going to enjoy every minute of," Gillan said. She certainly knows Moffat's special skill is all about torturing his characters for maximum comedy and drama. Bonneville added, "Working again with a director like Ben, on Steven's acidly witty script, with an ensemble of this calibre, is as daunting as it is exciting."

The four-part series, which has just gone into production in London, was written by Moffatt and produced by Hartswood Films in association with SkyShowtime and BBC Studios Distribution. It will premiere on U.K. streamer ITVX. Ben Miles, Alex Kingston (who will not be playing River Song, alas), Nick Mohammed from Ted Lasso, and Simon Russell Beale are also in the cast. Ben Palmer of The Inbetweeners is directing the series. it's like a mini Doctor Who cast reunion!

"I just sat down and wrote this," Moffat said. "Didn't even tell anyone what I was doing. And now it's all happening, thanks to the amazing Sue Vertue (renowned TV producer and, in a rare moment of weakness, my wife). I can't quite believe we've managed to get the mighty Hugh Bonneville involved as Douglas and that we've lured my old friend Karen Gillan back from Hollywood to play Madeline. And if that's not enough, we've got Ben Miles, Alex Kingston, Nick Mohammed, and Simon Russell Beale. It's the kind of cast that makes you terrified about stepping into the room."