Changing Ends season 2 sees the return of Chatty Man and national treasure Alan Carr with more warm-hearted and witty stories from the famous comedian's childhood growing up as a gay lad in 1980s Northampton.
Following the success of Changing Ends season 1, this time the six-part series is getting a primetime Saturday night slot on ITV1 with rising star Oliver Savell back as Young Alan, who’s now almost 12 but still facing relentless bullying at school.
"The first series went down so well that I thought, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and I’ve got so many more stories to tell," says Alan, 48. "I mean, my whole life is like a sitcom!"
So here’s everything you need to know about Changing Ends season 2 coming to ITV1 and ITVX…
Changing Ends season 2 release date
Changing Ends season 2 is a six-part series that is being shown weekly, beginning with a double bill on Saturday, July 20 2024 at 9 pm and 9.30 pm on ITV1. Single eps will then run weekly at 9 pm every Saturday.
All episodes will be ready to binge as a boxset on ITVX from July 20.
The first series of Changing Ends is currently available in full on ITVX.
Changing Ends season 2 cast
Reprising their roles as the Carr family for a new run of episodes in Changing Ends season 2 are Oliver Savell (Young Alan), Shaun Dooley (Graham Carr), Nancy Sullivan (Christine Carr) and Taylor Fay (Gary Carr).
Also returning are the Carr’s neighbours the Hudsons, played by Gabby Best (Angela Hudson), Harry Peacock (Nigel Hudson) and Rourke Mooney (Charlie Hudson). Also look out for a guest appearance by Maggie Steed as Young Alan’s nan in episode three.
Changing Ends season 2 plot
The second season of Changing Ends picks up in 1987 shortly after the first season, as young Alan deals with his impending puberty, feeling sidelined by his family and still being bullied at school.
Meanwhile, with his football manager dad Graham Carr distracted by Northampton Town FC, who are battling for promotion, can he be there for his son when he needs him most?
Later in the series, we can also enjoy a visit from Alan’s nan (Maggie Steed) and a family caravan holiday in Great Yarmouth!
INTERVIEW: Alan Carr on what we can expect from series two of Changing Ends
What sort of ups and downs does Young Alan face this time in Changing Ends season 2?
Alan Carr says: "It’s just more adventures of Alan Carr really! Although I couldn’t believe it when Ollie walked through the door. He’s grown so much that I got a crick in my neck and we had to put some people on blocks while filming! People always say to me, did all this stuff really happen? And of course you've got to embroider because it’s a sitcom. But that boy didn't want to hang around with me because I was camp, and I was bullied. There are elements of truth in it, but you turn it on its head and try to make it funny. I’d say it’s half sitcom, half vendetta!"
The series puts the characters some fun situations. Were there any filming days that were particularly memorable?
"Oh my god, the shooting range! So the family go on a caravan holiday to Great Yarmouth in one episode and someone booked a caravan that was literally on a shooting range. And it does affect the timing of a joke when you're trying to get it in before the bullets go off!"
Your nan also comes to stay, played by the amazing Maggie Steed. What was that like?
"Actually, she's an amalgamation of my two nans really. One nan was quite hardcore and would let us watch Jaws and slasher movies when we were little. Then the other one was always asking me why I didn’t have a girlfriend! But when I heard Maggie Steed was on board I couldn’t believe it. Seeing her get into character and deliver the lines so perfectly was like watching a master at work. I was starstruck!"
Were there any scenes that brought a tear to your eye?
"There’s one where Graham is showing Young Alan how to shave. It wasn’t meant to be emotional but it just shows the quality of the actors we have because what Shaun and Ollie did was so powerful we all got choked up. I'm getting chills thinking about it even now. It’s really poignant!"
What have your parents made of the show?
"My dad is an absolute superfan and just keeps watching the first series over and over. I think for him it’s the attention to detail, so the Northampton football ground looks just like the ground did, the kit looks just like the kit. It’s like going down memory lane. And my mum was just chuckling away at it. Obviously we have to change the names of some people, but she was going, oh I know who she is!"
We love the 1980s soundtrack. Did you get a say in the music?
"Yes, but there were weird issues with licensing and rights that meant we couldn’t get certain songs – not being able to have Mel & Kim was like a punch in the stomach! We also couldn’t get the big hits because they were so expensive. But we’ve got Kylie in there. And this might be controversial but I think Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi is just as good as Can’t Get You Out of My Head. And if that makes me a bad person then so be it!"
Changing Ends season 2 episode guide
Here's a brief guide to each of the episodes oin Changing Ends season 2...
Episode 1
The opening episode begins with Alan buying fake ID from cool fifth former Donna to see the 15-rated film Platoon at his local cinema. Meanwhile, his football manager dad Graham (Shaun Dooley) is largely absent thanks to Northampton Town FC’s promotion battle, leaving Alan at home with mum Christine (Nancy Sullivan) to enjoy wrestling on the telly and gossiping with Christine’s pals at the hair salon.
Episode 2
Young Alan (Oliver Savell) has his 12th birthday party to organise, but his detective-themed get-together looks like being nothing short of a damp squib thanks to a game of wink murder, a slice of Battenberg and guest list of just three, including dinner lady Val! However, his preparations get sidelined when a Peeping Tom is caught stealing knickers from washing lines, sending the local Neighbourhood Watch group into a frenzy! Can Miss Marple fan Alan unmask the culprit?
Episode 3
There’s mayhem in Alan Carr’s semi-autobiographical sitcom as his nan Joyce (played by Maggie Steed) pays a visit, but is forced to outstay her welcome when a vicious Alsatian runs amok on their 1980s estate! Trapped in the house with the dog barking outside, Joyce and Alan (Oliver Savell) cuddle up in front of a classic Western. But things become awkward when she starts grilling him about his obvious lack of interest in girls…
"She's an amalgamation of my two nans really,’" says Alan. "One would let us watch Jaws and slasher movies and the other was always asking me why I didn’t have a girlfriend. But when I heard Maggie Steed was on board I couldn’t believe it. Seeing her deliver the lines so perfectly was like watching a master at work. I was starstruck!"
Episode 4
There are the twin teen horrors of embarrassing sex education lessons and an awkward school disco for a young Alan Carr (Oliver Savell) to contend with this week. With his best mate Kay getting giddy about slow dances and first kisses, a panicked Alan turns to drama teacher Miss Gideon for some ‘fake it till you make it’ disco advice. On the night, he’s forced fend off the school bullies, as well as Kay’s not-so-subtle advances. But things take an even more humiliating turn when he downs one too many blue plushies!
Episodes 5 and 6
We'll be updating as the series progresses so please do check back.
Is there a trailer?
Not yet but we’ll update here as soon as one lands. But to whet your appetite here below is the trailer for Changing Ends series 1 which was shown in 2023...
