Super Hans

Simon "Super" Hans is a character and the deuteragonist in the English sitcom Peep Show, portrayed by Matt King.

Names	Simon Hans, Super Hans
Gender	Male ♂
Race	Human
Occupation	Musician
Origin	Peep Show Series 1 Episode 1: Warring Factions (September 19, 2003)
Alignment	Mixed
Age	20s to 40s
Created By	Andrew O'Connor, Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain, David Mitchell, Robert Webb
Height	188cm (6ft 2in)
Weight	75 kg (165 lbs)
Personality Type	ENTP

Appearance

Super Hans has a distinctive and memorable appearance that reflects his rebellious personality and chaotic lifestyle. He often sports a post-punk aesthetic, characterized by dark clothing, skinny jeans, and a disheveled yet stylish look. His signature use of eyeliner accentuates his edgy vibe, making him stand out even in the more mundane settings of Peep Show.

Hans’s hair is typically unkempt, ranging from messy curls to loose, wavy styles, contributing to his effortlessly disorganized demeanor. He exudes a lean and wiry frame, which, paired with his erratic movements and sharp facial expressions, emphasizes his unpredictable and manic energy. His overall look aligns perfectly with his persona—a man perpetually at odds with societal norms, unapologetically embracing his own eccentricities.

Personality

Super Hans is a wildly unpredictable yet fiercely loyal individual who relishes defying social norms. He presents himself as a cunning schemer and dreamer, with a distinct punk-inspired style, including eyeliner and post-punk attire. Hans is heavily reliant on alcohol and recreational drugs, often dragging others into his chaotic habits. In the second series, he struggles with a crack cocaine addiction, a recurring plot point referenced in later series. Although he makes attempts to clean up his act—most notably hosting his stag party at a juice bar—his efforts are typically short-lived, leading to inevitable relapses.

Hans often expresses contentious, unconventional views that clash with Jeremy's perspectives (such as their debate over sectioning). Like other chaotic side characters, including Pej, Chemical Kev, and The Orgazoid, Hans thrives in unpredictability. Over the course of the show, he takes on numerous odd jobs, including working in a recording studio in the first series. At the end of series five, he joins a cult inspired by Scientology. By the series six finale, it’s revealed he is the father of seven-year-old twins, whose existence was previously uncertain until they appear at his wedding in the episode Gregory's Beard. Despite his hedonistic tendencies, Hans occasionally shows restraint, as seen in New Year's Eve.

Biography

Super Hans speaks with a charmingly "East-End" accent and exhibits a drug-addled, stream-of-consciousness style of conversation. His wit is laced with pop culture references and occasional flashes of insight. His rough upbringing, which included being locked up by his father to "monitor the home brew," is implied to have left lasting scars, such as his fear of enclosed spaces. Hans's father is deceased, and though Hans mentions having a sister, she remains unseen throughout the series. His volatile tendencies include violent outbursts, such as kicking down Mark's bathroom door (Shrooming) and smashing Mark's TV with a lamp (Mark's Women), hinting at a troubled past.

As Jeremy’s bandmate and friend, Hans alternates between tough love and outright betrayal, edging Jeremy out of band projects (Jeremy's Manager) and kissing his ex-wife (Wedding). He often refers to Mark with bizarre nicknames like "Professor Yaffle," "The Abdominiser," and "Captain Haddock," though he respects Mark’s sense of responsibility. This respect leads him to ask Mark to be the best man at his wedding, primarily because his bride Molly detests Jeremy.

Hans is notorious for cycling through absurd band names, often with more enthusiasm for naming than rehearsing. Notable examples include The Hair Blair Bunch, Man Feelings, 13 Bastards, and Grandma's Boner.

Throughout the series, Hans juggles various jobs, including recording studio receptionist, rig worker, removal man, and bathroom fixtures salesman. His final scene sees him separated from Molly and departing London to start a moped rental business in Macedonia.

Trivia

• The number on Super Hans' apartment door in series 1 is 167.
• Producers were initially seeking Russell Brand for the role of Super Hans before Matt King was cast.
• Hans was inspired by the character Danny from the film Withnail and I.
• At his wedding to Molly, in the episode "Gregory's Beard," it is revealed that his first name is Simon. In the episode "Kid Farm", his name appears as "Mr. S. Hans," on a cheque he gives to Jez.