I Want My Wife Back

I Want My Wife Back is a six-episode British romantic comedy television series that aired on BBC 1 in 2016. Both a romantic comedy and a drama, the series revolves around the immediately relatable predicament of a devoted husband who suddenly finds himself jilted by his wife, followed by his ardent attempts to win her heart back.

The series presents a distinct mix of humor, romance, and drama, and primarily takes place in London, taking advantage of quintessential urban locales and the metropolitan flavours of the city. This setting establishes an effective backdrop to the dilemmas of married life in the modern world, rendezvous of unexpected encounters, and the complexity of personal relationships.

The narrative of I Want My Wife Back centres around the character Murray, portrayed by Ben Miller. Murray, who is under the impression that his life couldn't be more perfect, is thrown off-guard on his 10th wedding anniversary when his wife Bex, played by Caroline Catz, announces unexpectedly that she wants a divorce. Bex’s abrupt departure leaves Murray completely aghast as he believed they had been living a content married life. Thus begins the intriguing journey of Murray, an average, somewhat naïve man, who will move heaven and earth to win back the love of his life.

Murray’s character is beautifully balanced by Bex, who adds depth to the storyline with her own embrace of individuality and her journey towards self-rediscovery. This dynamic allows for a range of comedic and deeply moving moments as Murray and Bex mutually try to navigate through the unexpected turmoil in their life.

The series observes Murray’s loveable yet sometimes misguided attempts to understand what went wrong and embark on a mission to rekindle their relationship. Along the way, he is supported (and often misguided) by a colorful mishmash of friends, family, acquaintances, and even total strangers who collectively add to the wealth of comedy and drama inherent in the storyline.

Ben Miller leads the cast with a genuinely poignant performance, bringing heart and humor to the almost hapless Murray. He makes the character sympathetic, enabling viewers to really root for him as he stumbles along, often messing up spectacularly in his heartfelt efforts to restore a relationship he cherished. Caroline Catz also shines as Bex, whose reasons for leaving are complex and painfully human, even as she manages to infuse her character with both warmth and grit.

The writing team of Mark Bussell and Justin Sbresni, known for their work on The Worst Week of My Life, skillfully crafted the series. They explore the complexities of adult relationships, threading together comedic elements, dramatic situations, and heartfelt moments to create a touchingly relatable narrative. The pacing of the series is just right, never feeling rushed, while making sure to keep the viewers thoroughly enthralled with a mix of light-hearted humor and emotional depth.

The supporting cast, which includes Peter Wight, Susannah Fielding, Stewart Wright and Jan Francis, to name a few, each bring their characters to life, imbuing the show with a vibrant variety of personality and creating a full-fledged representation of Murray’s world, each influencing his quest in their unique ways.

Throughout its six-episode run, I Want My Wife Back offers an honest reflection on love, relationships, and the effort it takes to keep them alive. It’s a show about love lost and possibly rediscovered, about the fact that marriage is never easy, and about how the best and worst of intentions can lead to some of the most comedic and heartbreakingly real situations.

While the plot might seem simple at first glance, the essence of I Want My Wife Back lies in its deeply human portrayals of love, heartbreak, determination, and the poignant openness of its characters.

Altogether, the series is a charming, warm, funny, and at times heart-wrenching journey about love, relationships, and the lengths one man will go to win back his wife. Its balance of humor and emotional honesty make it a delightful watch, presenting a heartening story that many can relate to – one that strikes a chord whether you are in love, been in love, or anywhere in between.