Calling all Martin Clunes fans! The actor’s 2019 British sitcom, Warren, is available to stream for free – and despite dividing viewers, it serves as the perfect one-night binge if you have a few hours to spare. 

Originally airing on the BBC in 2019, the six-parter sees Martin play a disgruntled 50-something driving instructor, Warren Thompson, who is forced to move up north after his partner’s father is taken ill. 

Despite wanting a quiet life, Warren ends up in a location he dislikes, working a job he isn’t cut out for with a family he never signed up to look after – and is increasingly dragged into self-inflicted sticky situations. 

While the show received mixed reviews from critics, it’s worth a watch if you’re a Martin Clunes fan and are in the mood to see him play a moody, disgruntled character not far from his iconic portrayal of Doc Martin in the ITV medical drama. Intrigued? Keep reading for everything you need to know about Warren, which is available to stream on Prime Video.  

What have viewers said about Warren?

The show was rated relatively poorly by critics, who collectively scored it at 17 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. 

In its one-star review, The Telegraph penned: “Warren is at once underwritten and, worse, overwritten. There is a failure to follow through with the comic potential in a southerner trapped in the north,” while The Times added: “[Clunes’] nuanced comic turn deserved something rather better than Warren, with its overreliance on comedy staples – a shonky clairvoyant and a competitive next-door neighbour.”

Despite the negative critical response, the show proved more of a hit with viewers and currently holds a 69 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“This comedy is really well written and a breath of fresh air,” said one person. “I wasn’t expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. I seldom laugh out loud, even when humorous, but this had me really laughing.”

Another wrote: “Absolutely hysterical, so well written, I don’t understand why they are not making a series 2!”, while a third added: “It takes an episode or two but it does grow on you. Interesting premise and quite funny. I’m sorry that there isn’t a second series.”

What is Warren about?

The comedy centres around Warren Thompson, a pedantic driving instructor who believes that the world is against him. When southerner Warren is forced to move up north to Preston when his partner Anne’s father falls ill, he finds himself living in an area he doesn’t like, doing a job he hates and looking after two teenage stepsons he didn’t want. 

The synopsis continues: “Warren has a way of knowing best and speaking his mind that inevitably leads to conflict, chaos and disaster for those around him – and especially for himself. 

“Warren doesn’t embrace the concept of growing old gracefully. He’s quite happy to keep railing against the world and trying to right perceived wrongs against him. There are no happy endings for Warren as he grapples with the problems and misunderstandings of his own making.”

Who stars in Warren?

Martin Clunes (Doc Martin, Men Behaving Badly) leads the show as Warren, while Lisa Millett (Robin Hood) plays his partner, Anne. 

They’re joined by Tim Preston (One Day) as Charlie, Oscar Morgan (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) as Danny and Neil Edmond (Ghosts) as Ian. 

All six episodes of Warren are available to stream on Prime Video.