Chris O'Dowd's sci-fi Small Town Big Story is reaction to ‘monumental identity crisis'
Watch: Small Town Big Story's Chris O'Dowd and Christina Hendricks discuss the sci-fi series
While he and the world was going through a "monumental identity crisis" during the Covid pandemic Chris O'Dowd decided the best thing to do was create a TV series, Small Town, Big Story to be exact.
The Sky series is created, written and directed by O'Dowd and follows TV executive Wendy who returns to her hometown in Ireland, the fictional Drumbán, to shoot her new series. However the visit brings up old wounds as she is forced to reconcile with her past with ex Séamus, and how they were once abducted by aliens — yes, really.
O'Dowd tells Yahoo UK that the series, which is led by Christina Hendricks and Paddy Considine, that it was his experience during the pandemic that made the story and Wendy Séamus's wild adventure in space, came him: "I felt that I wanted to write to the disconnection that I was feeling with the world at the time, we were in the middle of lockdown during Covid and I had been looking to film something in Ireland again and wanted to get back there.
"I'd just reread the play The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt about this woman who comes back to this European mid century town with a bit of an axe to grind and she says she's going to save everybody under one condition.
"I thought it was a fun kind of a premise and then I just started writing the odd character joke, and tried to populate this town with people that I thought would be representative of different character types within it, and I was really enjoying the repartee. Then I started thinking about what Christina's character, Wendy, would bring to a situation like that, to just pull the rug from under everybody.
"And I think while we were going through this monumental identity crisis as a society during COVID, I think I wanted for everybody else to be going through it individually, and all of those things together led to where we are."
Hendricks found playing Wendy an intriguing experience because it gave her insight into what it is like on the other side of a production, with the Mad Men star joking that she couldn't help but "posture yourself with some people you've met throughout the years and chuckle to yourself a bit."
"I sort of felt like that agent I had once or that executive that I remember," she reflects. "So it's fun to poke fun at ourselves, but also I just liked that this character went through so many different things straight off the bat. She's confronting her past and going home, seeing her family, and coming in as as an executive after years and years of being away — she's travelled the world and she's recreated who she is, and this is just where we start.
"So it's just fun to take all these clues that Chris had put in and all these different life experiences this woman has had that sort of toughened her up, made her sceptical of people. She feels like she can't trust anyone, no one's ever believed her and she's going back to the guy who experienced this very crazy thing that made her leave town.
"She is saying I'm sick of carrying around the secret, being made fun of or thought to be crazy and it's time for you to come out in the open with it 'cause I'm not doing it alone."
The actor adds that it was "wonderful" to have O'Dowd be such a presence on set, the IT Crowd star directs several episodes and also cameos as the author of the work that Hendricks' Wendy is adapting for TV.
"It's wonderful to work with the showrunner because they have the vision, they know exactly what they were thinking when they put it on the page and so it's easier to execute it," she explains.
"He can give me the notes that I need as a character because he created that character, so it's ideal to have him there and also be able to play around with the language too, because I'm not one of those people who likes to come in and change words."
When asked how they might react if they were abducted by aliens like Wendy and Séamus, both admit they'd be interested with Hendricks saying: "I'll tell you what, if I had the choice to go up safely, see what's going on in the spaceship, and come back down I'd go."
O'Dowd then jokes: "I'd go up just because I'm sick of the winter."
Small Town Big Story premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW from Thursday, 27 February.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Angel Reese Records Her Fourth Double-Double of the Season
Angel Reese Records Her Fourth Double-Double of the Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Angel Reese has established herself as the top rebounder in the WNBA. Her skills were evident once more on Tuesday when the Chicago Sky faced off against the New York Liberty. While the result wasn't what any Sky supporter hoped for, this team is still young and has significant potential for development. Players such as Hailey Van Lith and Kamilla Cardoso are set to rise, and Reese is already demonstrating franchise-level talent. The three-time BET Sportswoman of the Year arguably delivered her finest performance of the season against the Liberty. She was a playmaker on offense with three assists and secured a couple of steals thanks to her aggressive defense. The Sky have faced challenges, now sitting at 2-6 for the season, with their only victories against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, who currently hold a record of 1-9. Despite the relentless wave of online negativity aimed at her, the former LSU Tigers star continues to motivate her teammates. Advertisement Earlier this week, she addressed some of the negative social media posts she's endured. 'My brand is BUILT love. They can't stop what's already BUILT. The real KNOW the REAL…I really hope that check be worth the amount of lies yall make up EVERYDAY 🤣😭i REALLYYYYY hope.' Reese finished the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 8-13 from the field. Although the Sky fell a little short against the reigning WNBA champions, Angel has no reason to feel disappointed. She certainly more than proved her worth tonight and looked to be one of the top players on the court. Chicago will be back in action on Friday as they head to Atlanta to face the Dream. Advertisement Related: Angel Reese and Livvy Dunne React to Hailey Van Lith Swimsuit Photo Shoot Related: Livvy Dunne Shares Revealing Swimsuit Photos Related: Livvy Dunne Reveals Her Go-To Fast Food Order Related: Livvy Dunne Shares Her Workout Secrets This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.

Hypebeast
3 hours ago
- Hypebeast
Cheez-It and Wendy's Drop Baconator-Inspired Crackers for Summer
Summary Cheez-ItandWendy'shave teamed up to offer a new limited-edition snack: Cheez-It x Wendy's Baconator Crackers. Launching nationwide this July, the mashup brings together the signature Cheez-It crunch and the savory, smoky essence of Wendy's iconic Baconator burger. Made with 100 percent real cheese and infused with Applewood smoked bacon flavor, each bite offers a satisfying hit of beefy, cheesy goodness — no drive-thru required. Fans can also grab the exclusive Cheez-It x Wendy's Baconator Bundle on Cheez-It'sofficial site, which includes the crackers and a Wendy's Frosty keychain tag, with free shipping using code 'CHEEZBURGER.' Scan the QR code on the box for even more fun in the Wendy's app, including a $2 Baconator sandwich discount. The collab is only available for a limited time, so interested fans will need to act fast.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hollywood's biggest studio to split as viewers switch off traditional TV
Warner Bros Discovery is splitting in two just three years after it was formed in a $43bn (£32bn) mega-merger, as viewers switch off from traditional TV. The Hollywood media giant has announced plans to break off its streaming and studios businesses from its traditional TV networks, which include CNN and Discovery. Bosses said the move would unlock value for shareholders and create new opportunities for growth at both businesses, including potential mergers with other legacy TV channels. The break-up, which will create a bonanza of fees for bankers and lawyers, underscores efforts by US media giants to separate their rapidly growing streaming divisions from their declining traditional TV networks. Comcast, the US owner of Sky, recently announced plans to split its cable networks, which include MSNBC and CNBC, from its streaming and studios businesses. Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) was formed in 2022 through a merger between Warner Media and Discovery with the aim of creating a major media powerhouse for the streaming age. But shares have slumped almost 60pc since then, amid tough competition and as cable viewers continue to switch off. Investors have also baulked at WBD's huge debt pile, which stood at $38bn at the end of March. David Zaslav, the chief executive of WBD, said: 'The cultural significance of this great company and the impactful stories it has brought to life for more than a century have touched countless people all over the world. 'It's a treasured legacy we will proudly continue in this next chapter of our celebrated history. 'By operating as two distinct and optimised companies in the future, we are empowering these iconic brands with the sharper focus and strategic flexibility they need to compete most effectively in today's evolving media landscape.' The split will create a new streaming and studios arm housing the Warner Bros film and TV production groups – DC Studios, HBO and HBO Max – and the group's studio spaces in Leavesden and California. The other division, called Global Networks, will encompass WBD's traditional TV brands around the world. Mr Zaslav will lead the streaming and studios division, while Gunnar Wiedenfels, the current chief financial officer, will head Global Networks. Both executives will remain in their present roles until the separation, which is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. The move is not expected to have a major impact on the UK, where WBD is preparing to launch its HBO Max streaming service early next year. Subscribers will be able to watch high-end US dramas such as House of the Dragon, White Lotus and Succession. The launch marks a setback to Sky, which previously held exclusive rights to show HBO programming in the UK. While HBO Max will be bundled into Sky at no extra cost, meaning viewers will still have access to these shows, the deal will no longer be exclusive. In a further challenge to Sky, HBO Max will also be home to sports programming from TNT Sports. WBD is currently in discussions to take full ownership of TNT by buying BT's 50pc stake in the joint venture. WBD said the majority of its debt will be spun off into the networks division. The company plans to restructure its debt using a $17.5bn loan from JP Morgan, which will be refinanced prior to the separation. The Global Networks division will also take a 20pc stake in the streaming and studios business, which it will gradually sell off to help pay down debt. Shares in WBD rose 7pc following the announcement. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.