Let’s unpack this weirdness. Anthony Head was already a legend. He spent years being the posh, intelligent Watcher on Buffy. Everyone loved him for that.
Then, in 2008, he shows up on The Inbetweeners. He’s playing Mark Donovan, a deluded, embarrassing dad who says things like “Wassup?” It’s a comedic U-turn so sharp it should’ve left skid marks.
How did this happen? Apparently, the show’s creators, Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, just asked him. They knew he had a silly side. And boy, did he deliver.
The Quirky Facts That Make This Awesome
Here’s the first secret: Anthony Head loved playing Mark Donovan. He’s said in interviews the role was a pure joy. Why? Because he got to be deliberately uncool.
He didn’t just act the part. He committed to the cringe. That awkward dance at the school party? That’s all him, no stunt double. He practiced it at home. Imagine Giles practicing a dad-dance. Brilliant.
Also, fun fact: Head improvised one of the best lines. Do you remember when Mark Donovan says, “I’m a cool dad, that’s my thang”? That was not in the script. He just said it. The cast nearly broke character laughing.
Inbetweeners bully Mark Donovan looks totally different in Les
