Channel 4’s ‘Everyone Else Burns’ Returns for a Provocative Second Series

The popular Channel 4 series, ‘Everyone Else Burns’, has made its return for a second season, continuing its exploration of an ultra-religious family’s life in suburban Manchester. Written by creators Dillon Mapletoft and Oli Taylor, this satirical comedy delves into the peculiarities of a doomsday Christian cult, with an emphasis on balancing absurdity and reality.

The narrative follows the Lewis family, led by patriarch David Lewis, played by Simon Bird, notably known from the E4 comedy series, ‘The Inbetweeners‘. Alongside Bird are cast members Kate O’Flynn portraying his wife Fiona, Amy James-Kelly as their daughter Rachel, and Harry Connor as their son Aaron. This season delves deeper into personal and familial conflicts, set against the backdrop of their strict religious obedience.

This season presents fresh challenges for the family. As part of a plotline central to the series, daughter Rachel faces the prospect of an arranged marriage, a development that reignites discussions on conformity and independence within strict communities. “We start series two with a little bit of rebellion,” said Amy James-Kelly regarding her character’s trajectory, expressing the emerging tension as Rachel endeavors to assert her independence.

New dynamics and characters invigorate the story, including Sian Clifford‘s role as Maude, a formidable new member of the cult, adding complexity and humor to David’s narrative. Clifford is renowned for her role in ‘Fleabag‘ and her talent for elevating scenes with her comedic presence.

The creators of ‘Everyone Else Burns’ have incorporated elements from Mapletoft’s own experiences with fundamentalist Christianity, crafting a narrative that navigates between satire and sensitive topics. The show’s humor, despite its sensitive subject matter, remains pointed and timely, offering a critical lens on the absurdities found within extreme faith-based practices.

Speaking about the series, Mapletoft remarked, “We really wanted to do something a bit different with the characters and push them a little further in terms of their journeys.” This emphasis on character development is evident as the series pushes boundaries through its distinctive comedic lens.

The second series, consisting of six episodes, premiered on Thursday, October 17, and is available for streaming, offering fans an opportunity to binge-watch this provocative and entertaining series.