Coupling: Richard Coyle (Jeff) not to return for Series 4
11-05-03, 09:52 AM
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Coupling: Richard Coyle (Jeff) not to return for Series 4
Steven Moffat posted this on the BBCAmerica forums:
Very sad news. 
Okay. You keep asking. Here it is. As you've pretty well all guessed, Jeff won't be in the 4th season.
I'm no longer in direct touch with Richard, so I can't vouch for his reasons. At the time of shooting the third season he seemed keen to return for a fourth (I always check in case I have to write anyone out) and that's why there was no Goodbye Jeff episode in the last run.
Sadly, although we have been trying very hard to persuade him, he's not keen to return and shoot a farewell for us. It's taken months of (unsuccessful) pleading on our part, which is why I haven't been saying a lot on the subject.
I really enjoyed working with Richard, who is an immensely talented actor, and I'm sorry it couldn't have ended on a happier note.
Okay. The good news.
There will be new character - Oliver, Jane's worst possible blind date - and I'm having whale of a time writing him. I miss Jeff but it's invigorating to have a new wind blowing through the show.
We've just cast someone we think is going to be wonderful. And after you've all got tired of wearing your black armbands, I think you might think he's wonderful too.
So don't write us off just yet, okay?
To be honest, it's kind of nice for everything to be a Big Scary Risk again.
Steven Moffat
I'm no longer in direct touch with Richard, so I can't vouch for his reasons. At the time of shooting the third season he seemed keen to return for a fourth (I always check in case I have to write anyone out) and that's why there was no Goodbye Jeff episode in the last run.
Sadly, although we have been trying very hard to persuade him, he's not keen to return and shoot a farewell for us. It's taken months of (unsuccessful) pleading on our part, which is why I haven't been saying a lot on the subject.
I really enjoyed working with Richard, who is an immensely talented actor, and I'm sorry it couldn't have ended on a happier note.
Okay. The good news.
There will be new character - Oliver, Jane's worst possible blind date - and I'm having whale of a time writing him. I miss Jeff but it's invigorating to have a new wind blowing through the show.
We've just cast someone we think is going to be wonderful. And after you've all got tired of wearing your black armbands, I think you might think he's wonderful too.
So don't write us off just yet, okay?
To be honest, it's kind of nice for everything to be a Big Scary Risk again.
Steven Moffat
11-05-03, 12:47 PM
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Originally posted by Red Dog
Maybe they should get US Coupling Jeff to replace him. He's currently seeking employment.
Maybe they should get US Coupling Jeff to replace him. He's currently seeking employment.
11-05-03, 01:13 PM
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Very sad news indeed. I loved the character Jeff - especially because of the random theories he always had.
I will of course still keep watching, as Moffat has created a wonderful show and I truly enjoy watching all of the characters, not just Jeff.
I do wish Richard Coyle would reconsider and at least film a goodbye episode if he won't come back full time. Honestly I cannot think of why he wouldn't, as one episode couldn't take up more than a week or two of his life. And while I'm at it - brit seasons are so short, 6-9 eps, that it would seem like filming the whole season would still allow for plenty of time to do other projects. This frankly baffles me.
I loved the character Jeff - especially because of the random theories he always had.I will of course still keep watching, as Moffat has created a wonderful show and I truly enjoy watching all of the characters, not just Jeff.
I do wish Richard Coyle would reconsider and at least film a goodbye episode if he won't come back full time. Honestly I cannot think of why he wouldn't, as one episode couldn't take up more than a week or two of his life. And while I'm at it - brit seasons are so short, 6-9 eps, that it would seem like filming the whole season would still allow for plenty of time to do other projects. This frankly baffles me.
11-05-03, 09:36 PM
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With or without Coyle, doesn't the fourth season have train wreck written all over it? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps, he's seen the American show, seen that Moffat may not be at the top of his game right now, and doesn't want to be introduced to the new following and hype the show has gained since the last season by doing fourth rate monologues.
There's nothing wrong with going out on top.
There's nothing wrong with going out on top.
11-06-03, 09:27 AM
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Yikes, that means series four is going to start with three jump the shark factors: baby on the way, sexual tension couple gets together and major character replacement.
But I'm still looking forward to series four, as most others. It'll be interesting to see what Moffat does without having Jeffisms or "to punch a joke, slap Richard on the head" (Moffat's own words, from the DVD commentary). I'm just afraid it's going to be a long wait. Does the series have to be complete before it shows on BBCAmerica?
But I'm still looking forward to series four, as most others. It'll be interesting to see what Moffat does without having Jeffisms or "to punch a joke, slap Richard on the head" (Moffat's own words, from the DVD commentary). I'm just afraid it's going to be a long wait. Does the series have to be complete before it shows on BBCAmerica?
Last edited by RKillgore; 11-06-03 at 09:39 AM.
11-08-03, 02:19 PM
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Originally posted by MrPeanut
With or without Coyle, doesn't the fourth season have train wreck written all over it? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps, he's seen the American show, seen that Moffat may not be at the top of his game right now,
With or without Coyle, doesn't the fourth season have train wreck written all over it? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps, he's seen the American show, seen that Moffat may not be at the top of his game right now,
