Friday Night Dinner boss reveals why he killed off Jim’s dog Wilson in shocking scenes
FRIDAY Night Dinner creator Robert Popper has revealed why he decided to kill off the show’s dog.
The Channel 4 Jewish suburban sitcom, which features the much-loved Goodman family, has been more popular than ever in its sixth series.
But one familiar face has been missing after Wilson, the pet pooch of the Goodmans’ strange neighbour Jim, was surprisingly written out at the end of season five.
Now the show’s writer has shed light on his reasons behind the decision to have the dog pass away.
Answering the questions of young readers of , Popper said: “I wanted to do something that gave everyone a shock.
“And to write a sad episode. I also wanted to give Jim a new dog.
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“I made sure it was funny, too, so had Jim casually saying, ‘I’ll get another dog next week.’”
Popper was also asked whether the dog belonged to Mark Heap, the actor who plays Jim.
In fact, the writer admitted Wilson was not even the same dog as when the show first screened, back in 2011.
He replied: “No it isn’t [Jim/Mark’s dog in real life]. We have a professional animal trainer, who brings all our animals.
“The first Wilson we had died after series one, series two to five was a different dog and [was] very good.”
Popper also revealed why he’d named the dog Wilson in the first place.
He said: “My friend had a cat called Wilson and I thought it was the most ridiculous name for a pet so [I] had to use it.”
Series six began last month, just a few days after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced countrywide isolation over Coronavirus, and has kept millions of bored Brits entertained.
The first episode in which dad Martin (Paul Ritter) acquired a grotty caravan and sons Adam (Simon Bird) and Jonny (Tom Rosenthal) got girlfriends, to the delight of mum Jackie (Tamsin Greig), was All 4’s most-watched comedy episode ever.
But Popper admitted it was a close call getting it out in time.
He revealed: “We finished editing two days before lockdown.”
Although Channel 4 hasn't yet ordered a seventh series, Popper previously reassured viewers that this series won’t be the last.
Friday Night Dinner is on tonight at 10pm on Channel 4.