Sky Arts successful series Urban Myths returns to our screens in April 2018 with a new season of mischievous comedies about bizarre tales from the worlds of Hollywood, music, arts and literature which are all fictionalised accounts of mostly true events.
Among the four new episodes of Urban Myths announced today, we can expect to unravel the mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926 and the biggest ever manhunt staged in Britain at that time; go behind the scenes on the set of the iconic film ‘Some Like it Hot;’ go backstage at Live Aid and sympathise with Johnny Cash and the carnage wrought by a killer ostrich.
These will join the four episodes already announced – revisiting TV presenter Bill Grundy on the ill-fated day when he met the Sex Pistols; fathoming the creative drug fuelled pairing of Salvador Dali and Alice Cooper; taking a peek at David Bowie and Marc Bolan in their decorator overalls and eavesdropping on an unexpected car-share with Public Enemy.
Gemma Arterton, Adam Brody, Adrian Edmondson, Noel Fielding, Sheila Hancock, Bill Paterson, Alex Pettyfer, Frank Skinner, Dougray Scott, David Suchet, Luke Treadaway and Jack Whitehall are just some of the well known names starring in Urban Myths. The series also features members from the National Youth Theatre performing alongside established actors such as Daniel Mays, Steve Pemberton and Kayvan Novak.
Each of the eight episodes takes an inventive look at remarkable events, which are re-imagined with tongue firmly in cheek by some of Britain’s most talented writers and directors. A third series of Urban Myths is already in the works featuring a new line up of comedies which will be announced later this year.
Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, says: “We are thrilled to be bringing Urban Myths back to Sky Arts in April 2018. With the first season we knew we’d hit comedy gold, mining the madcap worlds of urban folklore and once again viewers will get to see some of Britain’s most talented actors, writers and directors bring a selection of terrific tales, mostly true, to life. The episodes will be airing weekly on Sky Arts, but will also all be available on demand, perfect for binge-watching!”
URBAN MYTHS SYNOPSES
Urban Myths: Johnny Cash and the Ostrich
It’s November, 1983. Jean, a hotel manageress in Nottingham, arrives at work to find there’s trouble in room 211, currently occupied by country music legend, Johnny Cash. Eventually persuading him to let her in, they sit amongst the carnage and Cash explains that he has been visited by Waldo, the killer ostrich. In a series of flashbacks, Cash tells Jean how the ostrich attacked him at his theme park, home, The House of Cash in Tennessee, back in ’81 and how that set him on a path of pain-killer addiction and reckless drinking. Now Waldo has turned up in the East Midlands and is aching for revenge.
Starring Frank Skinner (Johnny Cash) and Isy Suttie (Jean). Written by Frank Skinner. Directed by Al Campbell. Produced by Avalon.
All episodes available on demand from 12th April as well as on Sky Arts and TV streaming service NOW TV at 9pm.
Johnny Cash and the Ostrich airs on 26th April at 9pm on Sky Arts.
