A youngSimon Pegg, actressJessica Hynes(née Stevenson), andwriter/directorEdgar Wrightmet on the set of the 1996 showAsylum, a dark humor sitcom featuring various comedians, and from there began to develop their first project together, alongsideNick Frost(who worked with Pegg onBig Train). In an interview with Simon Brew ofDen of Geek, Pegg notes that this debut work was “a reflection of a lot of [his] interests and personality” and went on to have “enormous significance.”
The 1999 sitcomSpaced, developed by Pegg, Stevenson, and Wright, was compiled of fresh, surreal humor and wild visuals that was like nothing audiences had seen before. In his conversation with Den of Geek, Pegg explains that “if you attempt to appeal to the mainstream, you generally end up appealing to no one.”Spacedcertainly leaves the realm of the mainstream behind. Jessica Stevenson, in a discussion withThe Guardian, credits some of their creativity to “fierce energy and excitement,” and ultimately, being broke.
Stevenson also expresses that the “mainstream” never suited her, but projects likeSpaceddid. Writer Edgar Wright feels similar to the two other creators and tells Tom Nicholson ofEsquirethat “the show [was] an extension of [them] and how [they] were living at that time in North London.”Spacedfollows two 20-somethings, Daisy Steiner and Tim Bisley, who meet by chance and decide to pose as a couple to qualify for flats in London. They acquire a flat in Tufnell Park where they are frequently visited by friends of theirs, including Mike Watt, played by Nick Frost, and Twist Morgan, played by Katy Carmichael. Despite being low-budget and incredibly different from other content on TV,Spacedwas this comedy trio’s ticket to success.
WhySpacedTook Off
Unlikeother popular sitcomssuch asFriends,Seinfeld, orHow I Met Your Mother,Spacedwas truthful about the reality of life for two unestablished 20-somethings. The whole premise of the show is Daisy and Tim attempting to make ends meet, put a roof over their heads, and discovering what they want to do with their lives. The relatability of their situation is one of the reasons viewers were drawn to the series, in addition to the show’s quirky humor.
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Another appealing aspect ofSpacedis the undeniable chemistry between comedy duoSimon Pegg and Nick Frost. Frost’s only prior acting experience was completely uncredited in the showBig Train, and otherwise had no prior acting experience; when Pegg met him he was a waiter in a restaurant. In an interview with Simon Hattenstone ofThe Guardian, Pegg says that Frost was “funnier than anyone he knew [in the comedy industry]” and could tell that he was uniquely talented. In the same article, Pegg reveals that he came out of university very “politically correct” while Frost emerged from the opposite side of the spectrum, with a “less pretentious, working-class background.” The balance created something so natural, funny, and authentic, that people just couldn’t get enough of it.
Finally,Spacedfound popularity for the importance of its female leads. In other sitcoms, it was easy for female characters to become flat stereotypes, while inSpaced,Daisy and Twist are more complex. This detail is due to Jessica Stevenson’s writing and contribution to the show.
WhySpacedEnded and Didn’t Return
Although the show contained some brilliant comedy and a realness other sitcoms hadn’t found yet, the project only ran for two series between 1999 and 2001. The reasons for the show not returning are unclear but may be due to the creators differing opinions but especially other opportunities (Pegg and Wright came up with the idea forShaun of the Deadwhile writing an episode ofSpaced, and would go on to pursue that). Whatisclear is why more episodes ofSpacedwouldn’t be possible now. As Pegg, Stevenson, and Wright all confirmed, the series was inspired by their lives then and the truth of their lives in their twenties.
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In a conversation with Xan Brooks and Henry Barnes ofThe Guardian, Pegg explains that they “couldn’t write [Spaced] with any degree of truth now, because it’s not where [they] are or who [they] are anymore”. In addition, some aspects of the show wouldn’t work with modern television. AlthoughSpacedwas fairly progressive, it does lack diversity and sometimes makes fun of controversial subjects, like Matt Watts’ obsession with guns or landlord Marsha’s weird fixation with Brian.
HowSpacedMade Simon Pegg, Jessica Stevenson, and Edgar Wright Successful
Spaceddisplayed the brilliant comedic talents of Pegg and Stevenson, not just their acting skills but their writing skills as well. Its frenetic, hyper-stylistic aesthetic automatically made Wright an in-demand director known for his creative energy. The way the show utilized different genres in comedic ways (from horror to spy thrillers) was extremely influential.
imon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jessica Stevenson, and Edgar Wright went on to make several well-known films together, includingShaun of the Dead,Hot Fuzz, andThe World’s End. They are all household names, with Pegg landing roles in theStar Trekfranchise, Frost acquiring roles independently including 2011’sAttack the Block,Why Women Kill,andInto the Badlands, and Wright going on to directBaby DriverandLast Night in Soho. Stevenson also formed an impressive body of work with multiple television series likeW1Aand new shows like 2022’sWitchfinderandLife After Life, and has received five BAFTA nominations (and two wins) along the way.
The group’s next project together is unannounced, however, Simon Pegg has confirmed that the friends will work together again. Currently, Edgar Wright is developing a film based on Stephen King’s dystopian storyThe Running Man. The cast and release of this movie have yet to be confirmed.
