As a movie reviewer with a penchant for rural tales and a soft spot for quirky British productions, I must say that Charlie Cooper‘s Myth Country is a delightful journey through the heart of our folklore-rich nation. With his roots firmly planted in the countryside, Cooper’s genuine enthusiasm for the peculiarities and traditions he encounters is infectious, making him an endearing host for this three-part documentary series.
Rural myths and legends have always bewitched Charlie Cooper. “I’m a country bumpkin at heart,” the writer and actor laughs from his cottage in Gloucestershire. “I love history and nature – and folklore, in all its forms, just combines those things.”
There weren’t any mythical beasts or pagan sacrifices in This Country, the pastoral sitcom he co-created and starred in with his sister Daisy May Cooper, but there’s definitely some connective tissue between that show and his latest documentary series for BBC Three.
Charlie Cooper’s show titled “Myth Country (wink-wink)” delves into some peculiar myths and legends rooted in the UK. The 35-year-old BAFTA winner investigates tales like Black Shuck, a colossal dog rumored to prowl the East Anglian hills, as well as UFO sightings over Wiltshire. While he’s long had an affinity for folklore, Cooper admits that it was the production of “This Country” that truly ignited his enthusiasm for these rural myths.
He found himself encountering numerous unusual customs and beliefs, which expanded his perspective significantly. Reflecting on his past experiences, he realized that much of what he had grown accustomed to, including the people and events around him, could be considered as part of local lore.
In this show, the actor journeys across the United Kingdom in a modified AA camper van, seeking out, as he puts it, “unusual small historic spots.
The three-part documentary, spanning half an hour each, showcases the actor’s profound affection for its subject matter. He serves as a charming and curious guide, engaging with individuals ranging from Black Shuck eyewitnesses to crop circle enthusiasts. According to him, anyone with a powerful link to our ancient pagan history is welcome.
This series comes at an apt moment, as there’s been a significant surge in folk horror films and television shows lately. These narratives delve into age-old traditions and the eerie and ominous allure of the British countryside. Cooper posits that the renewed fascination with folklore and our distant history might be a reaction to our growing desire to escape from a world that’s becoming increasingly fast-paced and noisy.
He notes that our modern world is incredibly interconnected, with most of our time spent indoors, staring at screens. This disconnects us from our surroundings, but folklore can help us reconnect to what it truly means to be human. Being fortunate to reside in a nation steeped in history, there are numerous unique folk customs and traditions waiting to be discovered. If sharing these experiences inspires others to explore the locations we visited, he would find that delightful.
In the debut episode, there’s a moment where Cooper tries to capture a gathering of the Norfolk Folklore Society on camera. Initially, they’re hesitant, but they eventually warm up to Cooper’s genuine enthusiasm. The series itself maintains an open perspective towards all these tales, whether they seem plausible or fantastical.
Cooper acknowledges that some TV crews may have exploited the subjects, portraying them as eccentrics or oddballs. However, he believes we now live in an era where there’s a resurgence of interest in folklore, making discussions about paranormal phenomena more common. This recent trend seems to have provided a more welcoming environment for diverse perspectives. With this series, Cooper aimed to avoid the typical approach of featuring celebrity friends and visiting haunted locations. Instead, he wanted it to be genuine and authentic.
Speaking of which, it’s worth mentioning that Daisy May, Cooper’s well-known sibling, makes an appearance, playfully teasing him during a Zoom call. While this isn’t the complete Cooper family reunion fans of This Country have been eagerly anticipating, Charlie does hint at another project he and his sister are working on in the future.
“I can’t talk about it too much, but it’ll be an unscripted thing,” he teases. “It’s a good way of getting back to working together again. What’s nice, since This Country finished, is that now we have a relationship outside of work. She had a baby a few months ago, so we go around to hers every Sunday for a roast, and the kids play together. It’s nice not having that external pressure. We’re not talking about work, we’re talking about stupid stuff, and I really cherish that.”
However, let’s discuss this nation itself. Despite The Cockswolds mockumentary airing its final episode in 2020, it left a hint of possibility for cousins Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe.
Cooper reflects, “One should never rule out the possibility,” he notes now. “I often ponder about Kurtan’s current activities. How might they have navigated the pandemic? Perhaps he would be extra cautious about germs now, given his character. Kurtan has such a significant impact on me, and with two children born since This Country concluded, I find myself constantly speculating about how he would have evolved into parenthood. It seems almost unfair not to explore this again.
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Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country begins at 9pm on Friday 4th October on BBC Three.
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2024-09-24 15:34