Hugh Bonneville’s ‘Mr Stink’ Headed to PBS Stations This Christmas
Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville stars as the titular Mr. Stink, a homeless man who is befriended by a lonely twelve-year-old girl named Chloe who invites him to live in the shed at the end of her family’s garden. It’s a role that seems to be about 180 degrees removed from the ultra posh Robert, Earl of Grantham, which is part of the reason it should be so fun to watch.
Per the official press release, the story goes like this: Chloe (played by Nell Tiger Free) sees Mr. Stink every day, but she’s never spoken to him, which isn’t surprising, because he’s a tramp — and he stinks. But before she knows it, Chloe has an unusual friend hiding in her garden shed when it seems Mr. Stink and his stinky dog, Duchess, might be driven out of town. As Chloe struggles to make sure no one sniffs out Mr. Stink, she also has to cope with an overbearing mum who is more interested in her own political ambitions than her daughter, her put-upon dad who has a secret of his own, her “perfect” younger sister, Annabelle, and the nasty girls who make her life miserable at school. There is also one other person with an extraordinary secret, as it turns out that there is more to Mr. Stink than meets the eye ... or nose.
Watch the BBC trailer below:
Walliams, who adapted his novel for the screen, had this to say about the casting of Bonneville: “I am thrilled that Hugh is playing Mr Stink. He is one of the most popular and talented actors around, and is the perfect person to bring out the character’s humor and sadness.”
Mr. Stink aired on the BBC during their 2012 Christmas festivities and finally makes its way Stateside this year. The family drama will premiere on PBS stations nationwide on Sunday, December 22, so mark your calendars!
Are you looking forward to see Bonneville in a role that’s a bit different from the Earl of Grantham?
