Honestly, if you missed the boat on White Gold, you're kind of lucky. You get to discover it fresh. It’s one of those rare shows that feels like a fever dream of hairspray, cheap suits, and the absolute worst people you've ever met—but you can't stop watching them.
Set in 1980s Essex, the show follows a trio of double-glazing salesmen who would basically sell their own mothers for a 10% commission. It’s loud. It’s crude. It’s deeply cynical. And yet, there’s something about the "white gold" (that's the uPVC window frames, for the uninitiated) that makes for a perfect comedy backdrop.
What Is the White Gold TV Show Actually About?
At its heart, the White Gold tv show is a masterclass in the "hard sell." We’re in 1983 Corringham, Essex. Vincent Swan, played by a surprisingly greasy Ed Westwick, is the head of sales at Cachet Windows. He’s smooth, he’s arrogant, and he treats the fourth wall like it’s just another window he’s trying to talk you through.
Vincent doesn't just sell windows. He sells a lifestyle he can't quite afford himself.
He’s flanked by two faces that’ll look very familiar if you grew up on British TV: James Buckley and Joe Thomas. Yeah, the guys from The Inbetweeners. But don't expect Jay and Simon here. Well, okay, James Buckley’s Brian Fitzpatrick is basically Jay with a "Begbie" moustache and a few more years of failed adulthood under his belt. He’s a smarmy reprobate who could charm the life savings out of a pensioner and feel zero guilt about it.
Then there’s Martin Lavender, played by Joe Thomas. Martin is the "moral" one. He’s a failed musician with a backbone that constantly gets in the way of his sales targets. The dynamic between these three is where the show really lives. It’s a constant battle of egos, pranks, and desperate attempts to climb the social ladder.
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Why the Inbetweeners Connection Matters
Damon Beesley, the creator, didn't just borrow the actors; he brought that same sharp, slightly mean-spirited humor over. If you liked the cringe-comedy of the sixth-form common room, you'll recognize the DNA here. However, it's darker. These aren't kids making mistakes; they're grown men with mortgages and failing marriages who still behave like children.
The Real 80s Essex: Fact vs. Fiction
The show goes to great lengths to nail the aesthetic. We're talking about a time when a 600% markup on a piece of plastic was just "good business."
The Aesthetic Accuracy
- The Cars: Vincent’s quest for a company car that matches his ego is a recurring theme.
- The Tech: Watching the receptionist, Carol (the brilliant Lauren O'Rourke), try to navigate the first office computer is a nostalgic trip for anyone who remembers floppy disks.
- The Music: The soundtrack is top-tier. From Laura Branigan's "Gloria" to synth-pop classics, the music does a lot of the heavy lifting for the atmosphere.
Interestingly, real-life window salesmen from the era have weighed in on the show's accuracy. While some things are played for laughs—like the "salesmen are vampires" trope—others ring true. The "pub lunch" business meeting was a staple. The confusion over whether to call it "uPVC" or "PVCu"? Totally real.
But let's be real: most modern installers want to distance themselves from the "cowboy" image Vincent Swan projects. In the 80s, the industry was the Wild West. Today, it’s all about Trustpilot and warranties.
The Controversy That Nearly Killed the Show
You can’t talk about the White Gold tv show without mentioning the massive elephant in the room. Production on Season 2 was famously halted in November 2017.
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Ed Westwick faced serious sexual assault allegations at the height of the MeToo movement. The BBC didn't just pause the show; they actually pulled a completely different completed drama he was in (Ordeal by Innocence) and reshot his parts with another actor. For a while, it looked like White Gold was dead in the water.
Westwick vehemently denied the claims. After a long investigation, the Los Angeles District Attorney announced in 2018 that no charges would be filed due to insufficient evidence.
Following this, the BBC made the controversial decision to resume filming. Season 2 eventually aired in 2019, but the momentum had shifted. The gap between seasons was nearly two years, which is a lifetime in the world of TV sitcoms.
Is Season 3 Ever Coming?
This is the question that haunts Reddit threads. As of 2026, there has been no official confirmation of a third season.
Damon Beesley has mentioned in past interviews that he had ideas for where the story could go next. He wanted to explore the rise of time-shares in the late 80s—the next "big scam" after double glazing. It would have been a perfect fit for Vincent Swan’s particular set of skills.
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However, the silence from the BBC and Netflix suggests the show might have reached its natural end. The cast has moved on to other projects, and the window of opportunity (pun intended) seems to be closing.
Why You Should Watch It Anyway
Even without a conclusion, the 12 episodes we have are gold. It’s a biting satire of Thatcher-era Britain. It captures that specific brand of "Essex Man" ambition—the drive to have the biggest house and the flashiest car, even if it’s all built on a foundation of lies.
What Makes it Stand Out:
- The Dialogue: It’s fast, mean, and incredibly funny.
- The Performance: Ed Westwick is genuinely great. He manages to make a character who is objectively a "villain" someone you sort of want to win.
- The Nostalgia: If you lived through the 80s, the set design will give you flashbacks. If you didn't, it's a fascinating look at a world that feels alien now.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you've finished the show and are looking for more of that specific vibe, here’s how to fill the void:
- Watch 'Tin Men' (1987): This movie is a huge influence on the show. It stars Danny DeVito and Richard Dreyfuss as rival aluminum siding salesmen in the 60s. The parallels are everywhere.
- Check out 'The Inbetweeners': Obviously. If you haven't seen the original series that brought Buckley and Thomas together, start there.
- Explore 'Suckers' (2001): Another great, often overlooked film about the high-pressure world of used car sales.
The White Gold tv show is a reminder that the 80s weren't just about neon and Leg Warmers; they were about the hustle. It's a cynical, loud, and hilarious look at a group of men who refused to grow up in a decade that encouraged them to take everything they could get. Even if we never get that third season, Vincent Swan’s sales pitches remain a masterclass in how to sell "white gold" to a world that didn't know it needed it.
To get the most out of your rewatch, pay close attention to the background details in the showroom; the production team hid numerous 80s-specific products and posters that perfectly capture the cluttered, smoke-filled reality of a 1983 small business.