Second Series
Episodes
EPISODE ONE: Commander of All Things
Smith finds herself the target of the murderous St. John Lawrence-Mulcaster and the Brigadier is determined to foil the villain’s plan. As they head to safety (and Durham Services to grab a sausage roll), the Brigadier reveals his ability to change the course of history with the use of astral planes, Queen Victoria, and a certain legendary Scottish monster.
EPISODE TWO: Under The Rose
Cosmic secrets are revealed as Smith and the Brigadier take shelter at Stonehenge. Druids, Morris Dancers, and Inter-dimensional Gods all compete to take hold of Munchausen’s destiny. A dramatic encounter with a mysterious black pyramid will test the Brigadier’s courage to the full. The dastardly St. John remains in pursuit and this time he’s brought an army.
EPISODE THREE: Those Who Excel Reach The Stars
A slow escape in a hot-air balloon makes the Brigadier nostalgic for his time in America. Stories of rodeo clowns and super-human cyborgs spill from his past. But all this time travel is beginning to erase Munchausen’s memory and Smith fears for her friend’s sanity. Perhaps the only cure is through the help of the truly terrifying tech-guru, Logan Snuff?
EPISODE FOUR: Speak Well of The Dead or Not At All
Smith and the Brigadier return to the Munchausen’s ancestral seat. This haunted castle has more than a few surprises within its walls; including an interstellar kidnapping, a wrestle with a nuclear weapon, and the introduction of the Brigadier’s brother who just happens to be afraid of daylight.
EPISODE FIVE: Creo Quia Absurdum
As the Brigadier reveals his past as a protector of the undead, Italian Nuns, Charles Darwin, and vampire-slaying biker gangs all find themselves at the considerable mercies of the heroic Munchausen. Smith, meanwhile, is beginning to lose faith.
EPISODE SIX: No Day Shall Erase You From The Memory of Time
In the final showdown, the Brigadier’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and Smith is forced to make a dramatic choice. Is she prepared to believe the unbelievable stories of her friend or side with an old enemy to get Munchausen the help that he needs?
"I loved returning to the telling of tall tales..."
’I loved returning to the telling of tall tales and writing again for such a talented cast. We’ve made a second series which is bursting with even more comic joy than the first and I think everyone could use some of that right now. It’s gloriously fun set of adventures and we promise to transport you to some unexpected places and in very good company!’
Paul Birch, Writer
"Anybody who has been blessed with the power..."
“Anybody who has been blessed with the power of cognitive reasoning will have noticed that our world is now overly full of people who have opted to embrace fantasy over reality and often with tragic results.
To have been able to play an amiable, old romancer, without any deep seated, political agenda has been both pleasing and amusing while, at the same time keeping make-believe, firmly where it belongs, in the realm of entertainment.”
Richard O’Brien, The Brigadier
"This was the best fun ..."
“This was the best fun I could have hoped for in the airing cupboard all lockdown! I loved being the straight woman to Richard O’Brien’s ridiculous character’s funny. I can’t wait to hear the whole thing spliced together.”
Sophie Aldred, Smith
“The first series of The Barren Author was supposed to be a one-off...“
“The first series of The Barren Author was supposed to be a one-off, but left gloriously open-ended, so the audience could take themselves on their own flights of fancy afterwards. But Richard O’Brien had so much fun doing it that he floated the idea of second series and, as long we promised it would match, expand, and better the first series, then he’d be happy to return for one more time.
I think we’ve done that, and we’ve been delighted to include more of Smith this time as well (and the Baron’s evil nemesis, St. John Lawrence-Mulcaster too). The second series kicks off directly after the first series finishes, and this time it really *is* the final series for the Baron/Brigadier. It’s been a genuine joy to bring this all to life alongside such an incredible cast and crew, so please hop aboard The Barren Author one last time to experience the final flights of fantasy he’ll take you on.“
Barnaby Eaton-Jones, Producer/Director