The result is a story that starts with a single, disastrous decision. (Baynton), a hungover council worker, witnesses a car crash and answers a ringing phone left at the scene. The voice on the other end says: "If you are not here by 5:00, we will kill your wife" . Enter Phil Bourne (Corden), an overeager mailroom guy who convinces Sam they should be the "heroes of the hour" instead of calling the police. Why It Worked

What Happens When You Answer the Wrong Phone? A Look Back at The Wrong Mans (2013)

: The show takes cues from the Coen Brothers' Burn After Reading and Hitchcockian thrillers. It mocks action movie clichés—like characters magically traveling to Paris in two shots—by focusing on the mundane logistics of being on the run , like booking tickets or arguing over the correct pronunciation of "Ginsters" .

: While Corden’s Phil is the adrenaline-fueled risk-taker, Baynton’s Sam is the grounded, unlikely hero trying to keep his life from imploding . Fast Facts for Your Next Trivia Night

: The show’s premise is so universal that it inspired a French adaptation titled Mauvaise Pioche ( The French Mans ) on Disney+. A US remake starring Ben Schwartz and Jillian Bell was also pitched to Showtime but ultimately cancelled .