Mad Dogs

“Mad Dogs” is a British television series blending black comedy with psychological thriller elements, crafted by Cris Cole and first broadcast on Sky1 on February 10, 2011. Produced by Left Bank Pictures in collaboration with Palma Pictures, the show features John Simm, Marc Warren, Max Beesley, and Philip Glenister. These actors portray four lifelong friends, now in middle age, who reunite at a villa in Majorca to celebrate their friend Alvo’s early retirement. The celebration takes a dark turn when Alvo is murdered, thrusting the group into a dangerous world of crime and police corruption.

Originally conceived as a story about a rock band, the concept shifted due to the belief that band narratives were overdone. After piquing the interest of several terrestrial networks, British Sky Broadcasting commissioned the series. Filming occurred across Majorca in May 2010, with a budget of approximately four million euros and a production timeline of 44 days. The series explores themes of friendship and the challenges of aging, with Glenister noting it addresses the inevitability of growing older and facing mortality. Renowned photographer David LaChapelle directed three 30-second promotional spots for the show. “Mad Dogs” premiered to an audience of 1.61 million, ranking as the 17th most-watched program on Sky1, and received favorable reviews from critics, who drew comparisons to British gangster films, particularly the 2000 movie “Sexy Beast.”