The Casebook of Max and Ivan

The Casebook of Max and Ivan (2016-2017, United Kingdom)

Max and Ivan are private detectives with of the glamour that follows the profession - cheap, rented office, the rent they can’t really afford, the landlord they are trying to avoid, and the clients that often pay them peanuts (if not literally in peanuts). But the one thing that keeps their spirit up is the profession they love. No matter how small the case is, no matter how low the payment will be, they will give their best to solve the mystery.

And another thing they can’t complain about is the colourful characters, who they meet during their investigations. If they are lucky, those are the suspects, if they are unlucky, it’s the clients. From scandal in a beauty pageant, disappearance on the set of a B-movie horror, to the worrying message from Max’s grandfather - the cases offered quite a wide range of situations and settings and variety of interesting characters.

The Casebook of Max and Ivan as a parody of the detective stories genre was a surprisingly fresh and original production. During the first season the "Green Hornet Theme" used as the musical motif, made the show seem especially dynamic. The humour was sometimes quite surreal, but well written jokes and intriguing cases made it quite unique experience. The only bad thing about The Casebook of Max and Ivan was the fact that is lasted only two seasons.

Also, the cast was a nice surprise, besides the creators (Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez), the cast regulars were Lewis MacLeod (as the landlord), Jessica Ransom and later Lolly Adefope played various of the characters, while Richard Wilson, June Whitfield, Joanna Lumley and Jason Watkins were among the guest stars. Overall, the show was a rare treat for fans of goofy comedies and good one-liners.

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Episodes of The Casebook of Max and Ivan

Series 1 (2016)

1. Case #10 - Perfect 10
Max and Ivan dive into the murky waters of pageants. Guest star June Whitfield.

2. Case #9 - Screen Test
Max and Ivan investigate the surprisingly colourful world of low budget movies. Guest star Matt Lucas.

3. Case #25 - Different Class
Max and Ivan investigate a suspicious series of sporting injuries. Guest star Jessica Hynes.

4. Case #32 - Haunted Bookshop
Max and Ivan investigate a mysterious bookshop. Guest star Reece Shearsmith.

5. Case #124 - Against the Grain
Halloween Special - Max and Ivan spend holiday on a gloomy island.

Series 2 (2017)

1. Case #96 - Community Disservice
Max and Ivan investigate the string of thefts at a community centre. Guest star Joanna Lumley.

2. Case #47 - Crime Writing Doesn’t Pay
Max and Ivan investigate a case of a prolific erotic crime writer. Guest star Jason Watkins.

3. Case #73 - Cirque Du Solihull
Max and Ivan investigate strange events taking place at the circus. Guest star Bridget Christie.

4. Case #139 - Help! The Aged!
Max and Ivan investigate the mysterious retirement home. Guest star Richard Wilson.

5. Case #524 - New Year’s Evil
2019 Christmas Special - Max and Ivan investigate fearsome criminal matriarch Mama Shanks.

Creators of The Casebook of Max and Ivan

Max Olesker

screenplay

Ivan Gonzalez

screenplay

Cast of The Casebook of Max and Ivan

Max Olesker

as Max

Ivan Gonzalez

as Ivan

Lewis MacLeod

as Malcolm McMichaelmas

Jessica Ransom

as various

Lolly Adefope

as various

David Reed

as various

The Casebook of Max and Ivan quotes