Alan Partridge Navigates a Nation’s Anxiety in New BBC Series, “How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)”
A new project from Steve Coogan’s iconic character sees the broadcaster confronting both a national epidemic of anxiety and his own personal demons.
Alan Partridge, the perpetually flailing media personality, is back, this time tackling the weighty subject of Britain’s mental health. The new series, “How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge),” finds the broadcaster in a familiar state of crisis, having recently experienced a public stumble – literally fainting into the lap of an interviewee at a corporate event for Bannroyd Animal Feed. But, as one observer noted, Partridge possesses a unique ability to reframe personal setbacks as broader societal trends.
The series, launching on iPlayer and BBC One on October 3rd at 9:30pm, positions Partridge as a roving documentarian investigating a perceived rise in anxiety, stress, and loneliness. “If I can use an outdated term, it’s just got mental!” Partridge reportedly quipped, framing the series’ central theme. The journey will encompass explorations of religion, reconnection with childhood friends, and restorative country walks, all while confronting his complicated past.
A Return to Familiar Territory
For Coogan and his long-time collaborators, Neil and Rob Gibbons, “How Are You?” represents a shift in approach compared to their previous work. While “This Time” pushed Partridge into uncharted comedic territory – culminating in a spectacular on-air meltdown and expulsion from the BBC – the new series revisits established formats and echoes earlier mockumentaries like “Welcome to the Places of My Life” and “Scissored Isle.” It also draws heavily from the tone and narrative threads of the podcast series “From the Oasthouse.”
This presents a creative tension, as there are effectively two versions of Partridge: the “Winning Alan,” currently enjoying professional success, and the “Wilderness Alan,” a more vulnerable and introspective figure. While the latter dominated the acclaimed 1997 sitcom “I’m Alan Partridge” and recent audio installments, the series appears to lean into the pressure-cooker dynamic that defined his implosion on “This Time.”
Navigating Personal Baggage
The first episode builds toward a potentially fraught reunion with Simon Denton, Partridge’s former colleague on “This Time” and North Norfolk Digital radio. As the series unfolds, previously unseen footage from Partridge’s past broadcasting endeavors will be interwoven into the narrative. Central to the personal drama is Partridge’s relationship with Katrina, portrayed by Katherine Kelly, a character introduced in “From the Oasthouse.” The series revisits the painful narrative of Alan’s denial regarding Katrina’s infidelity with Darryl Flench, a local tanning-center mogul.
However, some critics suggest that this storyline might have been better suited to the slower, more contemplative pace of audio-only storytelling. “When we can’t see him, Wilderness Alan has room to breathe,” one commentator observed, arguing that television’s visual immediacy is better suited to showcasing “Winning Alan” under duress.
A Masterclass in Comic Self-Sabotage
Despite these minor reservations, the consensus remains overwhelmingly positive. Partridge, in any iteration, continues to deliver consistent comedic brilliance. The series’ unique meta-narrative – Partridge producing and directing his own documentary – allows for a delightful parade of editorial mishaps and self-inflicted wounds. Expect aggressively edited montages (perhaps featuring exploding fruit), linguistic errors (“tastistics” and “mental bealth henefits” are reportedly among the gaffes), and the ever-present grimace as Partridge realizes he’s botched another take.
The visual details are equally compelling, with a new, implausibly light hair dye, a 2025 wardrobe featuring mustard chinos and body warmers, and an enthusiastic embrace of the rugby shirt revival. Beyond the surface-level humor, the series also taps into a deeper vein of pathos, revealing moments of vulnerability that underscore Partridge’s profound lack of self-awareness. These flashes of sadness, quickly followed by a return to comedic bluster, are a hallmark of the character’s enduring appeal.
As one long-time fan put it, “any version of Alan Partridge is always welcome back.” “How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)” promises to be another essential chapter in the ongoing saga of Britain’s most beloved and disastrous broadcaster.
