The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin Review: An Irreverent and Surprisingly Warm-Hearted Romp

Most Americans probably know comedian Noel Fielding from his stint as one of the hosts of Netflix’s The Great British Baking Show. So it’s likely that the idea of him starring in an offbeat period comedy tangentially based on a real-life British historical figure may take some folks a bit of getting used to.

But The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin is surprisingly delightful, a briskly paced romp that fully leans into its offbeat, weirdo heart. 

Noel Fielding in “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin” (Photo: Apple TV+)

The six-episode comedy is sweet and absurdist by turns, often feeling like nothing so much as the strange love child of Our Flag Means Death and Monty Python. It is historical in only the absolute loosest sense of the term.  Its plot doesn’t go much beyond case-of-the-week style hijinks and robberies, and its real focus is on the value of kindness and friendship, rather than violence. It shouldn’t work at all, and yet it really, really does. 

Fielding stars as the titular Dick Turpin, who, for those of you who don’t know, was a real person, the stuff of English criminal legend a la America’s Jesse James.

An 18th century highwayman who started out as the head of a gang of deer thieves before transitioning to more serious crimes that ranged from robbery and poaching to outright murder. He was hanged for horse theft in 1739, but his story was greatly romanticized after his death, immortalizing him in everything from novels to folk ballads. 

As its title implies, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin makes no claim to any sort of historical accuracy and, in fact, frequently revels in anachronistic language and self-awareness about the larger-than-life myth that will ultimately spring up surrounding the man at its center. 

This Dick Turpin is the vegan son of a local butcher who loves glam-rock fashion, sewing, and herbal tea. He dreams of becoming the greatest highwayman the world has ever seen, and when he stumbles backward into a gang of his own after accidentally murdering their previous leader, it seems like that desire may just become a reality. 

Hugh Bonneville and Samuel Leakey in “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin” (Photo: Apple TV+)

The blandly named Essex Gang is comprised of sharpshooter Nell Brazier (Ellie White) who poorly disguises herself as a man in an attempt to be taken more seriously; empathetic but naive himbo Honesty Courage (Duayne Boachie); and sweet strongman Moose Pleck (Marc Wootton), who discovers he’s much more comfortable fighting in skirts than breeches.

As they struggle to move up the highwayman rankings (which yes, are a thing that exists), they also have to avoid the ire of Jonathan Wilde (a genuinely hilarious Hugh Bonneville), an underworld kingpin who also happens to be the crown’s “Thief-Taker General” charged with bringing highwaymen like them to heel. 

The adventures that follow are deeply silly, and nothing about the show or its stories takes itself too seriously. From trying to rob an allegedly unrobbable stagecoach and battling a literal witch to facing off with another uber-glamourous highwayman who wants to steal their turf, every sequence is rendered with an almost giddy irreverence. (And hilariously low-budget special effects.)

There are cameos galore as Dick polls the gang’s victims about their “highway robbery experience” and recounts his adventures for the eager quill of Elize Been (Dolly Wells), a true crime writer eager to broadcast his adventures via pamphlet. 

Throughout everything, however, what truly sets The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin apart is its boundless warmth and optimism.

Dick is determined that he and his crew can survive — even thrive — as a different kind of gang, one that’s more concerned with style and charisma than violence and that values friendship above all. Dick’s certainty in who he is — as offbeat as his identity might be in this time period — helps those around him embrace their best selves as well, and it’s both refreshing and fun to watch unfold. 

Though its story is set in a world that isn’t especially known for its progressive attitudes, The Completly Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin deliberately carves out space for acceptance and kindness.

Purposefully rejecting the traditional toxic masculinity that is historically so prevalent in stories like this, the series instead doubles down on unapologetic flamboyance, genuine friendship, and a delightful sense of fun and whimsy.

Unashamed of who he is, it’s Dick’s confidence and often defiant kindness that helps his gang, and later, others like the hilarious Craig the Warlock (Asim Chaudhry), come into their own alongside him.

Fielding’s up-for-anything performance is undoubtedly the glue that holds the show together, but the series’ supporting cast is genuinely top-notch.

Viewers that only know Bonneville from shows like Downton Abbey or The Gold will be surprised to discover how funny he can be, while Tamsin Greig is clearly having a grand old time playing a villainous syndicate leader. And hilarious guest stars range include Taskmaster host Greg Davies,  Sex Education star Connor Swindells, and Diane Morgan from Cunk on Earth. 

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin may be silly and slight, but its reimagining of a version of history where friendship truly is magic and the weirdest among us can be celebrated for embracing their true selves — well, that’s the kind of revisionism it’s easy to get behind. 

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New episodes of The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin stream Fridays on Apple TV+.

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