Eric (miniseries)
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| Eric | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | Abi Morgan |
| Written by | Abi Morgan |
| Directed by | Lucy Forbes |
| Starring | Benedict Cumberbatch |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Holly Pullinger |
| Running time | 52–55 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | 30 May 2024 |
Eric is a six-part British psychological thriller television miniseries created for the streaming service Netflix, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The script was written by Abi Morgan with Lucy Forbes directing and Holly Pullinger producing the series. The series was released on 30 May 2024.
Synopsis[edit]
Vincent is a puppeteer in 1980s New York whose nine-year-old son, Edgar, has gone missing. Vincent's increasingly volatile behavior alienates him from his friends and family.[1] After issues with substance abuse, Vincent becomes convinced that he can reunite with Edgar with the help of his seven-foot-tall puppet, Eric.[2]
Cast[edit]
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Vincent Anderson
- Ivan Morris Howe as Edgar Anderson
- Gaby Hoffmann as Cassie Anderson
- McKinley Belcher III as Michael Ledroit
- Roberta Colindrez as Ronnie
- Jeff Hephner as Costello
- Wade Allain-Marcus as Alex Gator
- Mark Gillis as William Elliot
- Dan Fogler as Lennie Wilson
- Clarke Peters as George Lovett
- Phoebe Nicholls as Anne Anderson
- David Denman as Cripp
- Bamar Kane as Yuusuf
- Adepero Oduye as Cecile
- John Doman as Robert Anderson
- Alexis Molnar as Raya
- Donald Sage Mackay as Jerry
Episodes[edit]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Lucy Forbes | Abi Morgan | 30 May 2024 | |
| In 1985, Good Day, Sunshine! puppeteer Vincent Anderson and his production face increasing demand from city hall to make the show more appealing by introducing new characters. Vincent's nine-year-old son, Edgar, proposes a blue coloured character who he names Eric, as a potential new character, but Vincent is dismissive of the idea. Following an argument with his wife, Cassie, that night, Edgar goes to school alone the next morning, while Vincent continuously dismisses calls from Cassie, only to later learn that Edgar has gone missing. Shortly after detective Michael Ledroit takes on the case, a sanitation worker discovers a bloodied Good Day, Sunshine! t-shirt belonging to Edgar. Ledroit listens to a secret recording he made at The Lux, during which he may have stumbled upon an indication of Edgar's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Edgar's red jacket is found in the street. Vincent resorts to drinking and attempts to materialize Edgar's drawings of Eric upon discovering them in his room. The next morning, he awakens to a lively Eric encouraging him to begin looking for Edgar. | |||||
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Lucy Forbes | Abi Morgan | 30 May 2024 | |
| Vincent and Cassie make a public appeal for Edgar to return home. Ledroit's investigation leads him to the apartment janitor George Lovett, who was previously apprehended for inappropriate behaviour towards minors, with further evidence in his apartment indicating that Edgar spent time there. However, during questioning Lovett specifies that Edgar stayed with him whenever his parents would argue. While handing out missing persons posters, Cassie spots a homeless woman wearing a similar red jacket to that Edgar had. Vincent returns unannounced to work and pitches Eric to his boss, Lennie, who convinces representatives from city hall to consider Vincent's pitch in an upcoming meeting. Ledroit returns to The Lux, discovering that a kitchen worker's son was the child's voice he heard on his recording. Upon combing through nearby CCTV footage from the block of the Anderson's apartment, he discovers that Vincent left shortly after Edgar departed for school. Meanwhile, Vincent sets about materialising Eric's puppet, all the while plagued by his imagery counterpart, who encourages him on and reminds him of when he has stepped too far against others. | |||||
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Lucy Forbes | Abi Morgan | 30 May 2024 | |
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Lucy Forbes | Abi Morgan | 30 May 2024 | |
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Lucy Forbes | Abi Morgan | 30 May 2024 | |
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Lucy Forbes | Abi Morgan | 30 May 2024 | |
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
Netflix commissioned the six-part series in November 2021 to be made by production companies Little Chick and Sister.[3]
The script was written by Abi Morgan with Lucy Forbes directing and serving as executive producer. Holly Pullinger will produce the series with Cumberbatch starring and acting as executive producer. Jane Featherstone and Lucy Dyke of Sister will also executively produce, and Morgan is also an executive producer via Little Chick.[4]
Casting[edit]
In February 2023, it was revealed that joining Cumberbatch in the cast would be Gaby Hoffmann, McKinley Belcher III, Dan Fogler, Clarke Peters, Ivan Morris Howe, Phoebe Nicholls, David Denman, Bamar Kane, Adepero Odyue, Alexis Molnar, and Roberta Colindrez. Later the same month, Jeff Hephner and Wade Allain-Marcus joined the cast.[5][6]
Filming[edit]
Principal photography began by early 2023 with filming locations including Budapest and New York.[7] Cumberbatch was photographed by the media in the street with glasses and a dark green trench coat.[8]
Release[edit]
The series was released on Netflix on 30 May 2024.[9]
Reception[edit]
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 65% of 37 critics gave the series a positive review, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Startlingly disturbing despite its outwardly fuzzy appearance, Eric is a perverse genre-bender that may not fully articulate all of its ideas but offers a memorably demented binge."[10] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 61 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ Goldbart, Max (3 February 2023). "Benedict Cumberbatch To Lead & EP Netflix's 'Eric' From Abi Morgan & Sister". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ King, Aidan (4 January 2023). "'Eric': Benedict Cumberbatch in Talks to Star in Netflix Limited Series". Collider. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Yossman, K.J. (30 November 2021). "Netflix Commissions Five U.K. Series Including Re-Make of David Nicholls' 'One Day' and Abi Morgan's 'Eric'". Variety. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (4 January 2023). "Benedict Cumberbatch in Talks to Star in Netflix Limited Series 'Eric' From Abi Morgan, Sister (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (22 February 2023). "'Insecure's Wade Allain-Marcus Boards Benedict Cumberbatch-Led Series 'Eric'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (9 February 2023). "'Chicago Fire' Star Jeff Hephner Boards Benedict Cumberbatch Netflix Series 'Eric'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (3 February 2023). "Benedict Cumberbatch-Led Netflix Limited Series 'Eric' Rounds Out Main Cast". Variety. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Sarkisian, Jacob (15 May 2023). "Benedict Cumberbatch transforms for new Netflix series Eric". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ @NetflixUK (22 March 2024). "Eric stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffmann and McKinley Belcher III. This emotional crime drama follows the desperate search of a father when his nine year old son disappears one morning on the way to school. Coming 30 May. #NextOnNetflix" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 March 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Eric: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Eric: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
