![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/james-corden-how-jez-butterworths-bombshell-drama-lured-him-back-to-acting/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/126865145_06b09f17-0235-419d-8583-57b968be80fc.jpg&description=Image source, Amazon Studios/Dignity Prod LtdImage caption, The two couples find themselves entangled in a web of deceitWriter Jez Butterworth is no stranger to black comedy. Best-known for award-winning plays such as Mojo, Jerusalem and The Ferryman, his work has tackled heavy-duty themes such as toxic masculinity and national identity but always with a dollop of dark humour. His latest work is Amazon Prime TV series Mammals, another edgy comic tale centred around the age-old yet endlessly fascinating themes of marriage, monogamy and infidelity.It stars James Corden in his first major acting role since he announced his departure from The Late Late Show in the US, a high-profile gig which has seen slots such as Carpool Karaoke go viral and its YouTube channel draw in just under 10 billion views.It was not without controversy, however, with the host facing criticism on occasion for some of his sketches, including a slot called Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Gut, which was accused of mocking traditional Asian food. After complaints, he said he would not use the food items in question anymore.Corden has now returned to the UK and his acting roots and tells me he just could not turn down Butterworth's script: "I can remember so vividly where I was when I read it - Jez had written one episode - and I was just blown away by it. I don't know if I've seen anything like it, but I had to be involved."Without giving too much away, Mammals follows the complicated relationships of two couples, restaurateur Jamie (Corden) and Amandine (Melia Kreiling), and veterinary academic Geoff (Colin Morgan) and creative Lou (Sally Hawkins), who also happens to be Jamie's sister.While the themes may be familiar, the trajectory certainly isn't. Corden explains: "I can remember reading it and thinking four pages in 'OK, I think I know what the show is.' And then four pages later going 'Oh, well no, it's not that. It must be this' and then 10 pages later going 'OK, I've no idea what this is!'Imag){kind=link}
Writer Jez Butterworth is no stranger to black comedy. Best-known for award-winning plays such as Mojo, Jerusalem and The Ferryman, his work has tackled heavy-duty themes such as toxic masculinity and national identity but always with a dollop of dark humour.
His latest work is Amazon Prime TV series Mammals, another edgy comic tale centred around the age-old yet endlessly fascinating themes of marriage, monogamy and infidelity.
It stars James Corden in his first major acting role since he announced his departure from The Late Late Show in the US, a high-profile gig which has seen slots such as Carpool Karaoke go viral and its YouTube channel draw in just under 10 billion views.
It was not without controversy, however, with the host facing criticism on occasion for some of his sketches, including a slot called Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Gut, which was accused of mocking traditional Asian food. After complaints, he said he would not use the food items in question anymore.
Corden has now returned to the UK and his acting roots and tells me he just could not turn down Butterworth’s script: “I can remember so vividly where I was when I read it – Jez had written one episode – and I was just blown away by it. I don’t know if I’ve seen anything like it, but I had to be involved.”