Toast of London is a British television sitcom set in London. It was created by Arthur Mathews and Matt Berry and stars Berry as Steven Toast, an eccentric, middle-aged actor with a chequered past who spends more time dealing with his problems off stage than performing on it. Three series were broadcast on Channel 4, all directed by Michael Cumming. Series 2 and 3 were shot at the West London Film Studios. In the United States, Toast of London is available on IFC and Netflix. In November 2017, after reports of a fourth series, Berry clarified that it will return "in some form at some point", but nothing was currently being written. Mathews later said that they have an idea for "Toast in America," but that no deadline was set. In December 2017, Channel 4 officially renewed the show for another series. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a new YouTube channel with new audio skits of Toast of London was created.
Cast and characters
Main
Matt Berry as Steven Gonville Toast, the central character of the series. A bumbling, self-important actor, an unsuccessful ladies' man and often the bearer of bad fortune. Toast considers himself a success despite his obviously failing career.
* Berry also portrays a younger version of Steven's father, Colonel Gonville Toast, in the series 3 episode "Beauty Calls".
Doon Mackichan as Jane Plough like "Clough", Toast's unhelpful agent. Prim and posh, she sees herself as superior to Toast, despite her failure to provide him with decent work. She was played by Fiona Mollison in the pilot.
Robert Bathurst as Ed Howzer-Black, Toast's landlord and an idle retired actor.
* Bathurst also portrays Ed's father, Rupert Howzer-Black, in the series 3 episode "Beauty Calls".
Harry Peacock as Ray "Bloody" Purchase, Toast's fellow actor and rival, and a virulent homophobe. The two hate each other with a vengeance and are constantly in competition. While Purchase often seems to have the upper hand, Toast is still sometimes able to come out on top.
* Peacock also portrays Ray's albinotwin brother, Bill Purchase, in the series 3 episode "Man of Sex".
Shazad Latif as Clem Fandango, another hipster who is doing work experience in the recording studio. Clem routinely says to Toast "Hello Steven, this is Clem Fandango, can you hear me?" to which Toast is forced to reply with some variation of "Yes, I can hear you Clem Fandango."
Tracy-Ann Oberman as Mrs Purchase, the wife of Ray Purchase and a prostitute who is having an affair with Toast. Despite being a prostitute, the only person she ever charges for sex is her husband.
Peter Davison plays a fictionalised version of himself in several episodes.
Morgana Robinson makes one appearance in each of the three series, each time as a different character. She portrays Jemima Gina in "Addictive Personality", Lorna Wynde in "Fool in Love", and Emma in "Beauty Calls".
Geoffrey McGivern appears as three separate one-off characters, all of whom were temperamental directors working with Toast. He portrays Cliff Promise in "The Unspeakable Play", Acker Herron in "Afternoon Tea", and Norris Flipjack in "Desperate Measures".
The theme music, "Take My Hand" was composed by Matt Berry and was released on the album Witchazel. Each episode also features a novelty song sung by Berry's character Toast, and others. The songs are sometimes sung partly to the fourth wall.
Book
In 2015, Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews published Toast on Toast: Cautionary tales and candid advice, a spoof autobiography of Steven Toast. It was also released as an audio book read by Matt Berry.
