Ellie White co-stars in a new sitcom Semi-Detached, written by David Crow and Oliver Maltman. Each episode plays out in real time and is exactly like 24, except instead of following a government agent as he saves the planet, the series follows a perennial loser called Stuart (Lee Mack) as his life goes down the pan in a suburban cul-de-sac.
White (Stath Lets Flats, The Other One) plays April, who has just had a baby and is the young partner of Stuart. Stuart also has to look out for his jailbird brother Charlie (Neil Fitzmaurice - Peep Show, Mount Pleasant) and his promiscuous, drug-taking Dad Willie (Clive Russell - Happiness, Game Of Thrones). Then there’s the ex-wife Kate (Samantha Spiro - Sex Education, Grandma’s House), who lives across the cul-de-sac with their teenage daughter Madonna (Sarah Hoare - Chewing Gum, Black Mirror) and Kate’s husband Ted (Patrick Baladi - The Office, Stella) who thinks he’s better than Stuart because he sells fish to sushi restaurants.
Semi-Detached, Thursdays from August 6, 10.05pm, BBC Two.
Read an interview with co-star Lee Mack here.
What can you tell us about Semi-Detached?
It's a very funny comedy show about a man called Stuart and his chaotic family. Every episode plays out in real time, over the course of half an hour. It's basically Lee Mack having a breakdown every week - what's not to love there?
What appealed to you about the series?
A very funny script, Lee Mack playing the lead (he's a laugh, isn't he?) and the chance to hold a very sweet baby without having any real responsibility for it.
How would you describe your character?
April is a posh hippy - maybe the worst kind of hippy - a champagne hippy if you will. She loves yoga and meditation but she prefers them if they're conducted in very expensive spas.
Does filming in real-time present any challenges?
You have to do a lot of takes to get every possible angle so you can cut it together properly. That sometimes can test your patience but everyone was so great and funny I enjoyed watching bits again and again.
In the first episode of the series, Stuart and April’s relationship is different to when we last saw them, can you tell us a bit about this?
I think April's realised by the first episode that she and Stuart are not soul mates, and that maybe he's a bit old for her. So, there's a bit more tension, a bit more jeopardy.
How are they coping as new parents?
I don't think April notices anything has changed because she's completely in the clouds. Stu is definitely struggling.
How is it having a baby on set?
We had wonderful twins and honestly, they barely cried and were just so sweet I couldn't believe it.
Can you describe the show in three words?
Fast and furious.
Intervew supplied by BBC
