Series 2 cast interview
Ahead of the second series, The Job Lot's regular cast talk about the show and their characters.
Sarah Hadland (Trish)
Highly strung Trish is the manager of the Brownall Job Centre, who faces a daily struggle to manage her staff. Fresh from a nervous breakdown, a messy divorce and a tug of war over Ferrero and Rocher, her prized Labrador dogs. Trish is back to take on the world and turn the unemployed into skilled workers.
Why was the first series of The Job Lot popular with viewers?
People loved it because it's a proper ensemble show that has really interesting characters. As a viewer, you want to know more about these people. For instance, I get stopped in the street all the time by fans who say, "I love the security guards!" People just love these characters.
Please describe Trish to us.
Everyone seems to feel sorry for Trish and wants to give Angela a kick! The problem is, Trish is constantly submissive and frightened of Angela. She has nightmares about her. Tricia is very well-meaning and eager to please, but a little unhinged. Desperate is the best word for her. She'd describe herself as bubbly and authoritative. She thinks she comes across as very confident public speaker and thinks she's very good at her job and well respected in the office. But she's unaware how transparent she is. Her true feelings are written all over her face, but she has no awareness of that. She'd say she's fine, but you can see she is about to go and cry in the disabled toilet. Everyone knows someone like that. She's really vulnerable.
Can you expand on that, please?
Trish is not a good reader of people. She is always getting herself into toe-curling situations, but audiences have to keep watching. It's like a slow car crash; you can't take your eyes off it. It's fascinating to see someone flailing around like that. It's tragic and comic all at once. It makes you feel empathy towards Trish and think, "Bless you." It's important that the show is poignant and that you have those sad moments where you feel sorry for Trish. That makes the comic moments even more effective.
Where is Trish at the beginning of the second series?
It's more hopeful this time. We see her in a romantic phase with a new toy boy, you'll have to wait to see who it is! She is on a high and feels invincible. She thinks she is more sexy and has had a revamp because she's wearing a slightly better suit and snakeskin shoes. But everyone else thinks she looks just as dreadful as before. Because she's got a younger boyfriend, she becomes bolder and takes herself out of her comfort zone. People will think, "Go on, Trish!", but whether it will end well is doubtful...
Russell Tovey (Karl)
Former Art student Karl is stuck in a rut at the Brownall Job Centre, not knowing what to do next with his life and relying on his biscuit drawer - until new deputy manager Natalie walks in and things start to look more interesting.
Tell us about the relationship between Karl and Natalie.
She brings a new energy to the office. She's very attractive, and there is an obvious crush there. Trish has imposed an order that no relationships are allowed in the workplace. Natalie wants to be professional and stick to that. Karl has made do in his job, and it is refreshing for him to be around someone who cares about their work so much. She is reluctant to get involved. Karl is more of a dreamer, and with Natalie he is punching above his weight. But she is still giving him signals, which keeps him very much interested. There is a bit of flirting banter, and there is nothing better than that at work.
Can you tell us more about that?
The only affection Karl has previously had has been from a fortysomething woman. In a weird way, he's been embracing it because it's all he's got. But then Natalie comes along and provides this bright shining light. Karl and Natalie are very well suited. They are the same age, and they both have a dry sense of humour. They develop a secret smile for each other.
Would they work as a couple?
She's ready for someone, but would Karl be too insecure? Would people say to him, "You're Natalie's boyfriend? Really?" He'll always be thrilled to be in Natalie's company, but insecure about it. Karl just does not understand what it is to be sexy and cool. People find him attractive, but he just doesn't realise it.
Why do you think viewers have latched onto The Job Lot?
Every character is so well fleshed out. If you invest in these compelling characters, you'll love the show. Some of the characters you love to hate, like Angela. The relationship between Trish and Angela is taut and very entertaining. Trish is trapped. She tried to fire Angela, and failed. So now she's constantly under threat from her. Also, the dynamics of the office setting are so recognisable. That's another thing that audiences love.
How would you characterise the tone of the show?
The most effective comedy is where you have the licence to flip the story on its head and suddenly get emotional. The Job Lot is not just an endless series of gags. It's character driven. These characters entertain and hook the viewers. That's the best sort of comedy.
How have you found it working with Sarah?
A total nightmare! [He laughs] No, Sarah is brilliant. She's effortlessly funny. People really like her, which is very important in comedy.
How do you think the second series of The Job Lot will be received on ITV2?
I'm really excited about it. It feels like our audience will be more geared to it. This is a nuanced and subtle comedy. We can now take more risks because it's on ITV2. So I feel very confident that it will land very well.
Laura Aikman (Natalie)
Natalie joins Brownall Job Centre as Deputy Manager - she's ambitious and keen to impress with a wicked sense of humour. Trish immediately thinks they're the best of friends and Natalie can't resist winding up Karl with her dry humour ... but could romance be on the cards?
Tell us about Natalie.
She's very ambitious. She comes in as deputy manager. She has never worked in a Job Centre before, so she needs to be shown the ropes. Karl shows her what's what and is soon quite taken with her. They are the two most normal people there, and that's why they're drawn together. They're very well-suited. In that office, they're like supermodels to each other. But they can't go there. They're always beating about the bush. They're thrown off course because Trish has made a rule that no one at work can date. It's a very important rule: don't mess on your own doorstep.
How does Natalie get on with her other colleagues?
She and Trish get on very well. They're very different, but Trish is very kind and warm towards Natalie. But there is a full-blown hatred between Natalie and Angela. It's a no-holds-barred stand-off. Angela is the only other person who applied for Natalie's job. The first thing Angela says to Natalie is, "Don't you think you're too young and under-qualified for this job?" Natalie is scared of Angela and tries to look away from her, but Angela keeps glaring at her. Jo is hilarious as Angela - she can hold that steely gaze forever!
How has it been working with Russell?
He's great. He's a really good actor. He is excellent at playing understated humour. He doesn't always have outright gags - his character is more normal than some of the others - but he reacts in a really funny way. That's the hardest thing to do, but he is brilliant at it.
Have you enjoyed collaborating with Sarah, too?
Absolutely. She and Russell are always singing and dancing and entertaining us. She keeps everyone in really good spirits. People love Trish. Everyone knows someone like her. She's constantly trying to cover up her unhappiness, and that's something in a way which everyone can relate to. You go with her because you feel bad for her. That's why Natalie gives her more of a chance. Others would say that Trish is so annoying, but Natalie sees she's really trying, even if she is generally failing. Sarah is fantastic as Trish - she makes the character so human.
Why do you think the show works so well?
One of its plus points is that it has so many strong female characters. The writers are amazing - each line is funny. And all the dialogue feeds in somewhere and pays off somewhere else. I watched the last series and really enjoyed it. So I was super chuffed when I got the role of Natalie. Everyone is so talented and so funny, both on and off screen. We're having a great time here.
Finally, did you do any research for this project?
I did year on Casualty and did a day in a real A&E. I fainted twice. So I don't believe in research!
Jo Enright (Angela)
Angela is back with a vengeance and heaven help anyone that gets in her way. She's furious Natalie got the Deputy Manager's role over her but that's small fry - Angela wants Trish's job. Still single with her love of cats, she continues to undermine all her colleagues at every opportunity - especially now she's 'Cost Cutting Champion'.
What do people think of Angela?
Everyone knows someone like Angela. So many people come up to me in the street and say, "She works in my office". She's the type of person who enrages people. Perhaps deep down people are envious that she is so free. She is able to say what other people only think. She is not trying to please anyone. She might make you scream if you worked in the same office, but you'd still have to spend the day with her.
How would you describe Angela?
Fearless gangsta! She is as far away from a people pleaser as you can possibly get. She's a renegade. She speaks as she finds, and people like her for that. She says what most of us would never dare say. She represents the worst of us, but she is still part of human nature. Part of all of us would like to be free enough to speak without censoring ourselves. She just doesn't care. It's a defence mechanism for Angela - she rejects people before they have the chance to reject her. She pushes people away as a means of self-protection.
Tell us more...?
Angela just has this amazing fearlessness. We all tread very carefully around each other. We attempt to present an image in public and are constantly aware of our behaviour. We try to communicate in a respectful way. But Angela is not like that. The fact that she just doesn't care makes her very powerful. She doesn't need anyone. That makes her compelling because most of us need people.
Have you met people like Angela?
Yes. I've signed on a couple of times. I'm always totally amazed by people whose job is to have sensitive communication skills and who still behave like Angela. I think, "Why are you doing this job? How did you get it, and how do you stay employed?" These are the questions that keep me awake at night!
So how does Angela hold onto her job?
She keeps her job because she is a genius with rules. She's very intelligent and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Works and Pensions Department regulations. She's computer-like in her expertise. It's her weaponry. She knows every law and every little thing that employees are entitled to. That makes her invincible.
How does Angela view the office newcomer, Natalie?
In Angela's eyes, Natalie poses no threat whatsoever. She's a young girl who may be deputy manager, but Angela knows that she really runs the place. She doesn't need the label - it's her territory. Natalie is an irrelevance, and Angela has no time for her. She doesn't think she'll last. She can take her out with a single look. She has seen off many Natalies in her time.
Finally, how do you "find" the character of Angela?
People use words like "psycho" to describe Angela. But that's not helpful for me. Frighteningly enough, I feel I can understand her and can get into her mind with far too much ease! It just takes a tiny turn and I'm there. Maybe I'm just not the nice person I thought I was!
Sophie McShera (Bryony)
Bryony still has an answer for everything and has no wish to gain employment. This series she does decide one career profession is for her and enlists Natalie and Trish's help ahead of her interview...it's just not the kind of job you'd normally see advertised at Brownall Job Centre!
What drew you to this project?
I loved it as soon as I read the script. It all starts with the script. When I read the first episode, I laughed out loud - it's brilliant, funny and heart-warming. Also, there is a character for everyone.
Talk us through your character.
Bryony is a job avoider. She's very bolshie. She wants to sign on and have the easy option, but I feel for her. I keep defending her and saying, "She's not that bad - she's just got no confidence." In this series, she finds what she thinks is the ideal job as an exotic dancer at the Booby Bungalow. The only problem is, she's a shocking dancer. So Trish tries to teach her how to dance. It's a very funny episode.
Do you enjoy wearing Bryony's clothes?
Definitely. They really help me get into character. You can't go wrong. Wearing this outfit makes me really lazy. I can barely peel myself off the sofa to get on set!
Why has The Job Lot caught on to such a degree?
One of the reasons why the show's been so popular is that audiences love watching the interaction between the jobseekers and the employees at the Job Centre. Viewers are sometimes confused because they can't decide whose side they're on. Angela is obviously unbearable, but she's my favourite character because she makes me laugh so much.
Do you think the ensemble works well in The Job Lot?
Yes, the ensemble is great. Everyone is in the background of everyone else's scenes. For instance, you'll see Angela do hilarious things in the background. It's great for the viewers because there is so much detail. It makes it feel like a very real world that we've created. All these people are living their lives, even if they're not talking in every scene.
The Job Lot is quite far removed from your other ITV hit, Downton Abbey, where you play the maid Daisy, isn't it?
Absolutely. One of the appeals of The Job Lot was that it is so different from Downton Abbey. It's really fun to do comedy, and it's also great to do something so different. For example, when Siobhan Finneran appeared in Benidorm, people didn't know it was the same person who had starred in Downton Abbey. It's very important to do different things.
Why do you think Downton Abbey has been such a global hit?
First of all, the scripts by Julian Fellowes are just amazing. People also love the ensemble cast. For me, it's amazing to work with so many incredible actors. But I can't really explain the success it has had in so many different countries. We had a tour of the White House, which was incredible. That's a testament to the popularity of the show. It's the kind of thing you can't ever imagine will happen.
Finally, how do you combine working on this and Downton Abbey?
I'm just mad busy. There was a period where I was working on both and getting very confused. This is the better costume, though. I can just turn up here wearing my pyjamas!
Tony Maudsley (Graham)
Graham continues to spend as much time at Brownall Job Centre as possible - it's warm and he gets a free cuppa, what more could you want?
Why did the first series of The Job Lot chime with viewers?
It just struck a chord. There's so much red tape in a Job Centre, it's laughable. When I first read the script, I thought, "It can't be true", but it is. The producers have real Job Centre workers advising on the show. For people who have to sign on, the bureaucracy is horrendous. They have to fill in forms the length of a novel before they can sign on. It's so ridiculous, it's funny.
Please run us through your character.
Graham is on a treadmill, and he can't get off it. He is down on his luck, but is perfectly happy. He is quite unemployable - he only comes into the Job Centre to get warm. He's a very sweet, goodhearted man-child. He is looked after very nicely by most people - for instance, Janette mothers him. But Angela always wants to throw him out into the freezing cold. He's hopeless, and I can't quite imagine how he's got here. He was probably thrown out of his parents' house at an early age. I think everything he eats, he pours hot water on! He only pops in a couple of times in each episode. He's like an occasional treat that hopefully makes people smile.
What do you make of Graham's outfit?
It's great. This costume helps me get into character. At the end of the day, they don't hang it up. They scrumple it into a plastic bag. I must be the easiest person to dress! His suit is part of his master plan to get a job, but he's got to take it off every now and again. He sleeps in it. The only other thing I've worn as Graham is a tie with no shirt.
You're also one of the stars of Benidorm. Why has that show proved so popular?
It has a very loyal fan base. Everyone loves the show. I think it works so well because the audience know the characters. They're like their own family and friends. We all have a Kenneth working at the local hairdresser or a nasty gran with a sharp tongue like Madge.
Does the success of The Job Lot, Benidorm and other shows herald the return to prominence of ITV comedy?
Absolutely. Sitcoms like this, Benidorm and Vicious emphasise that ITV is determined to get the comedy crown back. Bringing back Birds Of A Feather was also a genius idea. These shows mark the renaissance of ITV comedy.
Angela Curran (Janette)
Angela is part security guard and part mother hen to all the office staff...except Angela of course. She loves working with fellow security guard Paul and is fiercely loyal to Trish.
Please describe your character to us.
Janette is warm and motherly. She enjoys getting out of the house and wants to create a family at work. Janette interferes a bit too much and is rather unsubtle, but she never realises she's doing it because she is innocent and naive. She has a great relationship with the other security guard, Paul.
Why have viewers connected with The Job Lot?
People really like it because they identify with it. So many people are struggling with Job Centres in the current climate. It's a sitcom and is more far-fetched than a real Job Centre. But it jollies people up, and anything that does that at the moment must be a very good thing indeed.
Do you get a lot of fans coming up to you in the street?
All the time. Most people come up and tell me they love it. They say, "We meet people like Angela when we sign on." I've met people like Angela at the Job Centre. In real life you do get a lot of Angelas who take your form and rip it up in front of you, saying you've got it wrong.
What are the other plus points of the show?
People like the fact that it's a real ensemble. Everyone has their important moments, and we all work together really well. There is a lot of action going on in the back of every shot. That shows how detailed The Job Lot is.
Can you give us an example?
During the last series, Angela called for security because she thought she was having problems with a person signing on. There was a shot of me, a security guard under five feet tall, in the background winding up the flex of the vacuum cleaner ready to defend Angela. The montage of ridiculous things happening in the background is vital to the show. Martin and I do a lot of standing around in the background, but we always know that it is going to be used to the advantage of the piece.
How have you found it returning for the second series of The Job Lot?
I really enjoyed it. It's been even better this time because we all know each other so much better. You feel totally relaxed with these actors. We know how we all tick. It's such an enjoyable job. I particularly enjoyed getting back into my costume. I feel very comfortable in Janette's uniform, especially that gilet. It's lovely and cosy!
Are you hopeful that there might be third series of The Job Lot?
I'd love that. There is an endless supply of stories because literally anyone can walk in through the doors of a Job Centre. All kinds of scenarios can happen, and that's what makes the show so brilliant and so exciting.
Martin Marquez (Paul)
Janette's fellow security guard Paul has the gift of the gab and is always looking for a cheeky scam to earn extra money on the side.
Please describe your character for us.
Paul is one of those people who likes to be seen to be doing lots of different things and have his fingers in lots of pies. He brings a good energy to everything. He doesn't really feel stuck in his job, as he thinks he'll just be doing it for a short while. He's always looking for the next job to make more money. He also enjoys the company of women. I don't know how attractive he is to women, but he certainly thinks he is! That's great fun to play.
Does the Job Centre setting work well?
Yes. The characters are like people stuck in a lift together. After a while, you can't move away from the other people and you just have to deal with and confront them. In one episode, Paul starts cycling to work to get fit for a charity event. But his hygiene isn't the best, and eventually his colleagues have to tell him because their workspace is so enclosed.
Is the ensemble cast a good idea?
Absolutely. The characters are very well drawn. They provoke a lot of feelings in each other and create a lot of material. They each bring out different sides in each other, which makes them more rounded, and multi dimensional. There are also a lot of different characters that the audience can relate to. That gives the show a real richness.
What other elements give the show its realistic feel?
My character sells carpets on the side. You can see the leaflets in the back of the shot. They have the logo, "Paul's carpets - laid by the best!" At first I thought that idea was far-fetched, but then I heard about a security guard at a Job Centre who drives a mini cab on the side. These things do happen. I wouldn't put it past Paul to do some minicab driving himself!
Does the Job Centre set also feel very authentic?
Definitely. When we did the pilot, on the very first day, three people walked in off the street and asked for a job. Who just walks along the street and thinks, "That's a good idea. I'll get milk, eggs and a job!"?
Adeel Akhtar (George)
George continues his quest to be the best job centre fraud officer in the West Midlands ... if not the UK.
Please outline your character for us.
George is very earnest. He takes it all very seriously. He wanted to be more than he is, but unfortunately this job was all that he could attain. He is a frustrated detective. He really likes idea of wearing night goggles and playing out a police fantasy. But it would be a terrible police fantasy. It would be more like The Bill than CSI. What gets George up in the morning? The hope of cracking a case - the problem is that he never does!
Tell us more about George in Series 2.
At one point, George is doing surveillance work, but of course he's not very good at it. He believes that anything he does is a total success, but in reality, he's not doing very well at all. For instance, he's trying to have a baby, so he has to give a sperm sample in a very big pot. It's quite challenging to fill it, and he gets very anxious about that!
Why has The Job Lot attracted such loyal audiences?
Because it draws on truth. I've had experience of going to a Job Centre when I was younger, and this feels very realistic. The series holds up a mirror to a world a lot of people will be familiar with. It shows that people's expectations are often not met. It doesn't laugh at people who can't get a job. It simply allows us to have a sense of humour about the people who work in a Job Centre. It's nice when you can have a laugh about something that is actually very serious. It helps to lighten a heavy situation.
Why else have fans latched onto the show?
Viewers can relate to the characters and see their own personalities reflected in them. They enjoy the ensemble, as it means that everyone can find a character to identify with. For us, it's lovely working with the same cast as last year. It's a very comfortable environment. It's like coming back home.
Have you enjoyed working with Sarah and Russell?
Absolutely. It's lovely to watch people who are super on top of their game. You take things away from watching them work. In fact Sarah and Russell are so brilliant, I've been stealing lots from them!