Interview: Ellie White On New Sitcom Semi-Detached

Interview: Ellie White On New Sitcom Semi-Detached

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

 

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