With distinctly British humor, ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ makes light of insurance fraud

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In 2002, John Darwin, a former teacher and prison guard, faked his own death by paddling a kayak into the North Sea from his home in England. His wife, Anne, then received a £250,000 life insurance payment. In reality, Darwin was still alive and secretly living nearby – and sometimes traveling abroad using a fake passport – without his two sons knowing. This bizarre story has been turned into TV dramas twice (titled “Canoe Man” in 2010 and “The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe” in 2022 – “canoe” is the British term for kayak) and now serves as the basis for a darkly humorous comedy, “Can You Keep a Secret?,” which premieres Thursday on Paramount+.

Simon Mayhew-Archer, the creator of “Our Country” (which inspired the American show “Welcome to Flatch”), wrote “Secret.” It’s a fresh take on the classic Darwin story, but with less focus on disturbing behavior. The story begins with Harry Fendon (Craig Roberts), who is anxious and down, visiting his mother, Debbie (Dawn French). He believes his father, William (Mark Heap), recently passed away. Debbie reveals that the life insurance payout has arrived, handing Harry £10,000 in cash, which actually makes him feel worse. Harry comments, “We’re reducing my dad to a bag of cash,” and Debbie replies, “Well, I was impressed by how much we got for him.” Then, trying to lift Harry’s spirits, she surprisingly produces William from the pantry.

Debbie remembered finding William, who has Parkinson’s disease, unconscious and not breathing. He’d accidentally taken too much of his medication due to forgetfulness and confusion, and a somewhat anxious doctor in a protective suit briefly declared him dead. There was a specific, though unusual, reason for the doctor’s precautions. Later, a distracted mortician mistakenly prepared a different body as William’s, and in discussing insurance, gave Debbie a surprising idea: it might be easier – though not necessarily sensible – to let everyone believe William had died. She even joked, “Who are we to argue with the National Health Service?” William rarely left the house and wasn’t well-known, so Debbie pointed out, “You might as well have been dead for the last 30 years.”

The situation will definitely become more complex. Harry will struggle with whether to tell his wife, Neha (a police officer played by Mandip Gill), that his father is still alive – Debbie doesn’t want him to, to protect Neha. Meanwhile, William, who has a sweet tooth, will secretly try to find snacks Debbie won’t let him have. Things will take an even more dramatic turn when the family starts receiving blackmail notes, turning the story into a mystery.

The show’s humor is subtle and relies more on situations than traditional jokes. Many cultural references might be lost on American audiences. While there aren’t many punchlines, the show is consistently funny due to the characters’ interactions. They seem to vaguely understand each other, almost as if communicating across a language barrier, each operating on their own wavelength. Conversations often involve disagreements and jump between unrelated thoughts. For example, characters like Debbie and William might get stuck in a circular argument about something trivial, like a famous train robber or trash collection day, even while dealing with more important matters – it’s reminiscent of the classic comedy duo Abbott and Costello.

British humor is unique, shaped by the country’s history, culture, and even its weather. I’ve always loved it, ever since I first discovered Monty Python. Compared to American comedy, it tends to be drier, more cynical, and more comfortable with awkwardness and unhappiness. It’s less likely to rely on heartwarming moments. You can see this difference when comparing British and American versions of shows like “Ghosts,” “The Office,” or “Doc Martin” – even the title changes often reflect this shift. Shows like “The Black Adder,” “Black Books,” “Brass Eye,” Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge series, “Human Remains,” and David Mitchell’s “Upstart Crow” and “Ludwig” are all great examples, and I recommend them to anyone who enjoys this style of comedy. I’m also hoping this list will connect me with other fans!

While the story avoids overly sentimentalizing things, it does offer a reason for the Fendons’ actions: their medical insurance wouldn’t cover William’s Parkinson’s medication. Debbie explains they felt justified in taking back what they’d paid in taxes and bills, though Harry admits it’s a bit more than that. The Fendons aren’t wealthy, and Debbie generally has good intentions. The story also includes touching moments related to William’s illness, likely informed by the author Paul Mayhew-Archer’s personal experience with Parkinson’s – he’s lived with the condition for 15 years and even incorporates it into his stand-up comedy, and co-wrote the popular show “The Vicar of Dibley.”

The show features four well-developed characters, but the actors truly bring it to life. Roberts, known for his roles in “Red Oaks” and “Still Up,” plays the anxious center of the group, connecting everyone else. Gill, who often appeared with Jodie Whittaker in “Doctor Who,” is charmingly expressive, whether he’s shocked or determined. And Heap, recently seen in “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin,” is wonderfully funny as a tall, confused man who acts like a child – constantly playing pranks on his son, like pretending to be dead, sneaking food from the pantry (“Anyone for a bacon puff? They’re old, but still good!”), and even pretending to be a German relative complete with lederhosen and a fake mustache, all to spend time with his grandchildren.

Dawn French, well-known for her role in “The Vicar of Dibley” and her comedy partnership with Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”), is the driving force of the story. She confidently directs her family, trusting her instincts – though they aren’t always fully formed plans – and believing she always knows what’s best. Her way of showing affection is direct, even blunt – she tells her son William, “You’re a moron, but you’re my moron,” which, for her, is an expression of love.

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2026-02-12 14:02