O-T is on the comeback trail in sitcom Maxxx

Some viewers may get a sense of déjà vu when they tune into the first episode of the sitcom Maxxx. Perhaps they saw the bitesize ‘Comedy Blap’ that introduced writer and star O-T Fagbenle’s creation back in 2017.

Or maybe they watched this episode back in April, when it aired on E4. It was supposed to be followed by the rest of the series, but it was dropped from the schedule at the last minute.

At the time, Fiona McDermott, Channel 4 Head of Comedy, said: “In these extraordinary times everything is changing rapidly and we are responding to our audience’s evolving viewing habits; therefore we’ve decided to relaunch the broadcast of the full series of Maxxx to later this year. We champion brand new comedy and are incredibly proud of this show.”

Clearly, the powers-that-be have now decided that the time is right to bring us all of Maxxx – the whole series will be available to stream on All4 after this episode airs.

For anyone who is coming to the show fresh, it stars O-T, whose previous credits include The Handmaid’s Tale and Looking, as the titular Maxxx, a former boyband star who has become a drug-shamed tabloid laughingstock. But now he’s on the comeback trail, hoping to prove to the world in general, and his supermodel ex-girlfriend Jourdan (Jourdan Dunn) in particular, that he’s not a massive loser.

O-T explains: “He’ll stop at nothing to make that happen, even if it means he has to get really famous again… I sometimes think of him as a 17-year-old who really wanted to be a famous musician – not a good [one] but a famous one.”

O-T says that Maxxx isn’t based on anyone in particular, although as he points out, we can probably all think of a few celebs who want the limelight for its own sake. However, he thinks that, if they’re being honest, many viewers will also be able to see elements of themselves in the character.

He says: “Fame and the pursuit of it can be a very distorting thing, and Maxxx is always more concerned with other people’s idea of him than his own sense of self. Even outside fame, with our own Instagram accounts, we all have a projection of ourselves and want to keep up this face of who we are. It’s an illusion, that we can get caught up in as if it’s real life.”

He adds: “I think most writing has some autobiographical element so to some extent, all the characters in Maxxx are based on me as much as anyone – my insecurities and heartbreaks are woven in there.”

In the opening episode, Maxxx is again in pursuit of stardom as he tries to reunite with his old boy band Boytown – but to do that, he’s going to need the help of music mogul Don Wild (Christopher Meloni). Meanwhile, the former star’s adopted teenage son Amit (Alan Asaad) is in need of advice, and while most of the public seem to be under the impression that Maxxx is dead, his cousin/superfan/stalker Rose (Helen Monks) is taking a bit of an interest…

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