Douglas is Cancelled viewers complain about 'chaotic' ITV show

What did you miss?

Douglas is Cancelled viewers complained they could not keep up with the latest episode of the show.

Hugh Bonneville, Karen Gillan and Alex Kingstons star in ITV’s new comedy-drama about the powers of cancel culture, social media and world of celebrity spin. The much-publicised series proved popular after airing its first episode at the end of June, but as the second installment aired on election night, there were complaints from viewers who struggled to keep with the "chaotic" plot.

What, how, and why?

Bonneville stars as a news anchor whose career is in jeopardy after it is claimed on Twitter he was overheard telling a "sexist joke" at a wedding. The comedy drama is written by Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat and also features Gillan as his co-anchor Madeline and ER star Kingston as his wife, who is also a newspaper editor. Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed, The Death of Stalin’s Simon Russell Beale, Coupling actor Ben Miles are also in the cast.

The second episode began with a flash back to a year before the joke controversy, exploring Douglas's wife's suspicion about his close relationship with colleague Madeline. It finished with Madeline helping Douglas prep for a Newsnight interview and ended on a cliff hanger as Madeline accused: "It wasn't a joke, it was a story about me."

What did viewers say?

Viewers claimed the second episode disappointed following the first, and that they did not understand what was happening.

One wrote on social media platform X: "I’m really persevering with #DouglasIsCancelled as it should be good, but this second episode just feels chaotic and annoying and I don’t like a single character in it" Another said: "#DouglasIsCancelled sorry, gave ep 2 a chance; 15 mins in, so bloody annoying. The script is awful and patronising. Shame it’s impacting on the acting!" A third posted: "#DouglasIsCancelled and it should be Tried giving episode 2 a go Have turned over 30 mins thru and won't be going back Badly acted Badly scripted No empathy for the characters Certainly not funny Boring unbelievable rubbish" And another shared: "#DouglasIsCancelled this is entertaining but it doesn't make much sense"

But the character of Madeline proved popular with some viewers. Onecommented: "Karen Gillan has scene ste ng lines and still stunning love the wardrobe #DouglasIsCancelled" And another said: "Yes! 'One of us is hot. And one of us is clever. And, unfortunately, they're both me!' #DouglasIsCancelled is fabulous writing!"

Viewers are still desperate for the show to revealed what the joke that caused the scandal actually was.

Douglas is Cancelled airs on ITV1 at 9pm on Thursdays and is available to stream on ITVX.

Read more: Douglas is Cancelled

• I watched Douglas Is Cancelled and it left me questioning everything I put online (Wales Online, 4 min read)

• Douglas Is Cancelled on ITV: What it's about, how many episodes, full cast and where you've seen them before (Manchester Evening News, 2 min read)

• Hugh Bonneville hits out at 'cancel culture' (Cover Media, 1 min read)