Changing Ends: Alan Carr’s 80s Coming-of-Age Comedy Returns for a Third Series
The Carr family is back with new challenges, football drama, and teenage crushes as Alan Carr’s semi-autobiographical sitcom moves into a new decade.
Series Overview
Alan Carr’s Changing Ends returns for its third series later this month on ITVX, ITV1, and STV, delivering more warmth, wit, and nostalgia from Northampton.
Since its debut, the BAFTA-nominated show has amassed over 14 million streams on ITVX and won an RTS Award earlier this year, highlighting its success with the blend of 80s awkwardness and heartfelt moments.
Plot and Characters
Series three is set in the summer of 1989. Young Alan, portrayed by Oliver Savell, is now a teenager facing the complexities of adolescence. His hormones are intense, his identity is uncertain, and a new crush named Jake stirs strong emotions.
Alan’s father, Graham (played by Shaun Dooley), manages Northampton Town football club and struggles as the Cobblers fall into Division Three, adding pressure both on and off the pitch.
Thematic Balance
The series carefully explores two types of challenges—one involving football, the other matters of the heart—through Carr’s signature humor and warmth.
- Alan deals with the trials of sleepovers, swimming lessons, and awkward social encounters.
- He wrestles with whether to keep his feelings private or openly express them.
"Love-struck Alan faces the agonies of sleepovers, swimming lessons and awkward nights out, while wondering whether to keep his feelings quiet or shout them from the rooftops."
Author's summary: Alan Carr’s Changing Ends continues to charm with its heartfelt portrayal of 1980s adolescence and football struggles, blending humor and nostalgia seamlessly.