It's an interesting time for Sue Perkins's coming-out sitcom to debut, coming as it does a matter of weeks after the government has begun the process of introducing equal marriage in the UK. Despite it being broadcast in a country where seemingly sexual orientation is no longer an issue, it reflects a wider reality where some people still feel unable to be honest about themselves with their loved ones or, worse, fear their lives would be made hellish by living openly as a gay man or woman.
That's the serious stuff dealt with. Heading Out, by contrast, is resolutely upbeat, right down to the theme tune and occasional music (which Perkins also wrote). This is far from Queer as Folk territory and, though not quite Terry and June, is a sitcom that's happy to use some good old-fashioned comedy tropes - big characters, farcical set-ups - to tell its story. It's Perkins's first foray into sitcom, either as an actor or writer, and comes after appearances on a slew of reality shows and co-hosting (with comedy partner Mel Giedroyc) one of television's most unexpected recent hits, The Great British Bake Off.
Perkins plays Sara, an accomplished vet - “I hear you can geld a tortoise with one hand” - who is also an immature commitment-phobe. This is neatly shown by a shot of her fridge, which contains only yoghurt, the morning after a late-night booty call with Chiara (Bekka Bowling).
But her real problem, at the age of 39, is that she has yet to come out to her clueless parents (Harriet Walter and Jeff Rawle); when they ask over the phone if she is seeing anyone she makes up a preposterous story about Michel, a French artificial-limbs salesman - “Well everyone needs legs, I suppose,” says her mum. As Chiara overhears her gender and her nationality being reassigned, so exits another potential girlfriend.
At a surprise party for her 40th birthday, her friends, led by best mates Justine (Nicola Walker) and Jamie (Dominic Coleman) have clubbed together to get her a lifestyle coach, the force of nature that is Toria (Joanna Scanlan, clearing having a whale of a time), whom we first meet when she is leading her netball team in what Sara calls an "inner-city asthmatic haka".
Using a variety of processes, including hypnosis, group therapy and drumming, Toria has six weeks to get Sara confident enough to come out to her parents or she will tell them herself when they next come to visit. The ultimatum comes at an opportune moment, as last night Sara met fellow animal lover Eve (Shelley Conn, pictured above) as they were out walking their dogs. Their flirtation, leading to some subtly played sexual tension, is nicely done.
Much of the script is witty and sharp, even if it's occasionally banter-heavy, and there are too many wacky characters. But the very strong line-up of talent Perkins has assembled - in addition to the above mentioned, Dawn French, Steve Pemberton, June Brown and Giedroyc appear in later episodes - is testament to its depth and high laughs quotient. Last night's opener set things up neatly with lots of story strands to be cross-stitched and then unravelled over six episodes; one to stay with.
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