These are obviously drawbacks in a highwayman’s career. But in the show, the peaceful Turpin manages, despite his philosophy of love and goodwill to all, to make great strides as the leader of the Essex Gang, after the accidental death of its previous leader is attributed to Turpin.

On the search for purpose after his veganism made following in his father’s footsteps as a butcher unfeasible, he grabs the opportunity with both hands and soon becomes the talk of all England.

Here Bonneville comes in as Jonathan Wilde, the “Thief-Taker General”, purportedly a keeper of law and order, but actually the overseer of a criminal empire himself, whose main problem with Turpin is not that he’s a highwayman, but that he won’t give Wilde his cut of the proceeds.

Wilde, like Turpin, was a real person, but also like Turpin, is portrayed in the show with pretty much no respect for accuracy whatsoever. A stuffy, uptight prig whose activities, both crime-fighting and crime-committing, are hampered by the constant presence of his son Christopher due to the dearth of quality childcare in the 1730s, Wilde’s main purpose in the show is to be humiliated by Turpin.

It is a role perfect for Bonneville, whose established persona in much of the public mind, exemplified in the role of Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey is of stiff-upper lip Englishness and indefatigable dignity. Here that dignity is constantly undermined by the refusal of the world around him to stop being so silly.

The contrast between Fielding, the laidback oddball, and Bonneville, the posh stuffed shirt, is the heart of the show’s dynamic, as Turpin and Wilde simultaneously clash as enemies while also slowly developing a weird kind of friendship.

‘It was so bonkers and I knew that once Noel [Fielding] got his hands on it the script would get even more crazy.’

Hugh Bonneville

Drawing on some comic theory to unpack the relationship, Fielding notes the parallels to his work in legendary surrealist comedy The Mighty Boosh, where he formed another formidable double act with Julian Barratt.

“Hugh has very similar clown status to Julian; he plays high status and I’m the low status clown. I think the high status clown is a great comedy character and I feel like those two characters always work quite well together.”

Clearly Bonneville, a proven performer in both dramatic and comedic roles, but best-known for the serious, is having the time of his life sinking his teeth into something genuinely ridiculous. He claims to have not hesitated when offered the script.

“Such fun. It was so bonkers and I knew that once Noel got his hands on it the script would get even more crazy. And I love the, if I may use the word, pricking of pomposity, with a character like Jonathan Wilde, who does play high status and thinks he’s God’s gift and is on the make at both ends, and then he’s constantly undermined.”

The show is also a continuation of one of Britain’s greatest traditions: historical comedy. More than other nations, the UK seems to have a knack for getting laughs from its past, from Dad’s Army to Blackadder to Horrible Histories and many more. Fielding sees historical humour as something Brits are infused with from a young age.

“With Holy Grail and Life of Brian and the Carry On films we’re used to that, we grew up with a lot of that kind of stuff. I mean Holy Grail is a classic and was one of the influences for this show. Life of Brian, possibly the funniest film of all time. We were raised on that stuff.”

“I think we’re quite good at taking the mick out of ourselves as a nation,” Bonneville chips in. “And I think something like this, well, it’s universal comedy, but it’s about the relationships between people and hierarchies and expectations being overturned.”

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The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin sets out its fictional basis right in the name. But given the fact that fictional narratives have overtaken historical fact in the public perception of Turpin, will this show one day act for future historians as an authoritative source on his life? Bonneville is pleased at the prospect. “He’s telling his truth and it’s important that we know that history in the future will be completely subjective.”

Fielding nods. “We’ve destroyed all other versions of Dick Turpin. This is it now.”

The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin is on Apple TV+ from Friday.

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