Juice is back! What can you tell us about the new series?

Series 2 is wilder, weirder and even a bit scary. You can expect big physical set pieces, tender moments and even a threesome. Brace yourself. The storm is coming.

Where do we see Jamma and Guy?

They've decided to break up but a greater force at play means they keep finding their way back to each other.

You’re back working with your brother Nabhaan and your mother Shahnaz how has that been after the success of the first series?

We all had such a clear idea of what we wanted to do more of and less of after series 1. We hit the ground running this time and were able to just play and experiment. What came out was more of the natural chaos and absurd humour we had growing up as a family. Unlike series one, Isaac is really put through the ringer this series. Whereas my mum's character, Farida, gets small-town famous thanks to a car insurance advert and becomes a bit of a gay icon.

Tell us about some of the guest stars appearing?

Kevin Eldon plays Mr Majal - a creepy ringmaster who lures Jamma into swapping his soul for someone else's. And Mark Gatiss makes a deliciously haunting cameo! Kevin and Mark are two of my comedy heroes and have inspired so much of my taste and style over the years, especially the darker undertones. So, it's mad to think that they are now part the Juice world. Just wait till you see the horror episode! And really excited about Tamara Lawrence, Georgie Glen and Chuku Modu who deliver hilarious and heart-wrenching performances!

Juice features some great visual effects like the mini-Juice town title sequence, what was the most rewarding visual sequence you were able to bring to life?

There's a set piece that involves all six members of the key cast and a precarious profiterole tower. It was one of the most fun things I've ever shot. My mum charging violently towards wedding confectionary will never not be funny. The miniature town we built looks insane! It's always been a dream of mine to build a toy town for these characters to live in. It feels like a cross between Springfield and Beetlejuice - there's even a river made out of juice! Every episode takes you on a different sensory adventure - it's wild! Our production designer Philippa Mumford is one of the most impressive people I've ever worked with!

What’s your inspiration behind those visual sequences?

It's fun! Fun to write, fun to film. The actors get to physically interact with the set design and surreal props - everyone on set, on and off camera, becomes a kid again. People let down their guard and it brings out a vulnerability that I want audiences to feel as they immerse themselves in this world. And the surreal elements are a really useful tool in conveying how Jamma is feeling emotionally. Whether that's a horror episode to convey his fear of relationships or a live studio sitcom to convey his need for attention.

How did you approach writing for the new series?

As much as I loved series 1, I didn't want series 2 to just feel like more of the same. I wanted to be bold in escalating the world-building so that series 2 felt even more immersive. And I wanted to take the characters on new journeys and face new challenges. Nabhaan co-wrote episode 3 with me and we really got to let our imaginations run wild, drawing inspiration from the larger-than-life supernatural comedies we grew up watching. And Emily writes episode 4 where we delve into Saif's backstory of migrating to the UK, told through shadow puppets!

Who would you say are your biggest influences both in writing and acting?

I grew up watching Robin Williams, Wayan brothers, Gene Wilder. Larger than life, almost cartoon-like performances somehow still routed in vulnerability and emotional truth. And Buster Keaton is a big influence - using your whole body to tell a joke, not just words!

How did it feel to win the BAFTA for best male comedy performance in 2024?

Not gonna lie, bloody great. It's not easy making a TV show - so many times it feels like you'll never actually get to make it, or whether the ambition is unachievable. But moments like that feel very reassuring that the show is resonating and it helped to stop and take stock of the last ten years of trying to get this show made - and what a crazy and exhilarating journey it's been!

What’s the reaction have you had to the first series of Juice?

I love how different people project completely different things onto it. For some people it's a show about family trauma, to others it's about how couples deal with their differences. And for some it's a just a fun stoner watch. It's actually really validating that a piece of writing that I thought was just my specific experience, has ended up connecting with such a diverse array of humans.

How would you best describe the series to someone who hasn’t seen it before?

A visual joyride through the trials and tribulations of falling in love with someone despite your differences.