Bad Education

As Bad Education returns for a fifth series, here's an interview with the actors who play the teachers and pupils, as well as some of those working behind-the-scenes on the show.

Layton Williams (Stephen)

Bad Education is back for another series. How excited are you? And what can viewers expect from the show and Abbey Grove this time around?

I am so ready for everyone to see this new season. I feel like it's bigger. It's better. It's badder. It's funnier. Expect lots of costumes as well, because we did not mess about. I probably changed about five times a day, no joke. It's gonna be quite a spectacle. We really pulled out all the stops.

What is your favourite thing about playing Stephen?

He's quite a selfish person in a funny way. He does have a lot of love for these students, but he puts himself before anybody else, which is the humour in it, isn't it? My favourite thing about playing Stephen is treading that line and making sure that there's still some heart to the character and that people don't actually hate me.

Have you drawn on any of your own school experiences through playing Stephen and through your role as a co-writer?

Definitely. Lots of my life has probably ended up in the scripts, just because I like to talk too much! And when we're in the writers' room, it's just a bunch of funny people and talented writers telling stories of their past. Last year, one scene definitely made it to the scripts from my life. And sometimes I'm like, did I want a bit of my life in that script? Oh well, too late!

Have you had any fun fan encounters?

There's a lot of love for the show, which I'm obsessed with. And people have grown up with it just like I did. I was a teenager when I first started it, and now I'm 29, so it's nostalgic for a lot of people. But also, teachers love it. They say 'Oh, I wish I could do half the things you get away with with my students', which is fab!

Can you tell us a bit more about how Stephen and Mitchell's relationship has developed since the beginning of the show?

I mean, our personal relationship has developed from the beginning, which is why it's so nice to see that transferred onto the screen, because we honestly are just such good pals. It's an unlikely pairing, even in real life although we're not as similar to our characters as people actually think we are (it would be exhausting to be Stephen every day). Our characters are so yin and yang, but they are so similar in ways as well. And I think that's just a lovely thing to remind people that, you know, you can be completely different people, whether it's sexuality, whether it's race, and you can still have so much fun and so much love and respect for somebody else.

We know that you grew up with Bad Education and must have learned a lot while you were filming. Are there any pieces of advice you've passed on to the new Class K?

I know how stressful it can be sometimes on set. I like to think that I lead by example, so, if I turn up to work grumpy and moaning and bringing that energy on set, it's just not going to be good because it will trickle down. So I had a saying that was just "choose joy". I was like, we have seven weeks to soak this moment in, we are grateful to be here, we are really lucky to have our jobs, so enjoy the moment!

And have they taught you anything this series?

I think they just reminded me of the full circle moment. When you're watching the younger cast do their thing, it's really inspiring. Because I'm looking at them and I'm thinking, 'wow, in 10 years, what superstars are you going to be?' Like they are on their A-game, just watching them kind of got me pumped.

How important do you think it is for school based shows such as Bad Education to reflect the diversity of backgrounds and life experiences that young people have?

Oh, 100%. One thing that I'm really proud of is the comedy in Bad Education. It's quite particular, it has its own rhythm, its own vibe. And I don't really think there's much out like it at the moment. We're not preachy, we are just being unapologetically us. Like, yes, some of us are black, some of them are white, different religions and races and sexualities, but we kind of just live and be ourselves and have funny altercations, but it's never the butt of the joke.

How did you find balancing the end of filming with the start of your exciting new journey on Strictly?
A lot of perseverance and as much sleep as I could get. I honestly don't know how I got through it. I nearly did have a dip. Like I woke up just completely exhausted and I was looking in the mirror and I was thinking, how am I going to do this? Because by the last week of filming, I was doing Strictly by day and we were doing night shoots for Bad Education. Everyone was super supportive though. They knew that I was tired so they'd let me rest and do my thing and they've all got my back so I hope I've done them proud. But it was honestly the wildest couple of weeks of my life. But I thought to myself, this is the life, this is showbiz baby, so if anyone can do it, I can do it. I was born to do this.

Charlie Wernham (Mitchell)

Bad Education is back for another series...

I was very excited to come back after such a great response to the reboot and the reunion. But it's definitely, if possible, even more crazy, and hopefully more funny. I am looking forward to seeing what the diehard fans think.

What is your favourite thing about playing Mitchell? And has this changed since you first stepped foot at Abbey Grove?

I would say my favourite thing is his immaturity. He's got even more silly, he makes me laugh. There are not a lot of boundaries with his character, you can do stuff that is a bit off the wall, a little bit crazy, very immature. I think that's just fun when you get to ad lib and muck around with the lines and really build a funny moment.

And it has changed since the original series, because now me and Layton have got a bit more responsibility. Now we're flying the flag for Bad Ed, and we've taken over the teacher role. We've definitely got a lot more work to do, and with that comes more opportunity to enjoy yourself and have fun.

Why do you think people relate to Mitchell?

A lot of people say, "Oh, I was like Mitchell when I was at school". I think Mitchell is a bit of everyone really. He's always trying to fit in trying to be down with the kids. He's always reaching for something but missing ever so slightly. He's certainly not the cool kid, but he's trying really hard to just fit in and I think that's everyone at school, isn't it?

Have you drawn on any of your own school experiences through playing Mitchell and through your role as a co-writer? What was it like co-writing for an episode?

I definitely feel like I method acted for a good 16 years to be able to play Mitchell. And there's so much stuff that I did in school, little things like swinging on your chair, throwing things across the classroom that influenced the character in the original series. But definitely even more so in the writers' room, where we all get together for a few weeks and share experiences and a lot of the time, those experiences make it in. It was lovely to be involved as well. I've known Freddy Syborn for 12 years and it's been great to see how he works and see how Freddy and Jack worked when we created the first very first series. It's quite funny looking back at that, I didn't think I'd be sitting there writing an episode with a creator of the show. So it's been a pleasure.

In your time playing Mitchell, have you had any fun fan encounters you can tell us about?

When we rebooted the series and brought it back, Layton and I were walking around London getting a coffee when we were doing the first writers' room. We were working right next to a school and we were like, this is our demographic, they're gonna clock us. But not a thing, not a word. And we realised at that point that the people that were at that school were about four years old when the show came out, and it made us feel really old!

What was your favourite scene to film this series?

There's this whole scene with a fake pig. And watching Layton for some reason have to climb out of this pig like a trojan horse is the funniest thing I think I've ever seen. I think people will enjoy that.

Can you tell us a bit more about how Stephen and Mitchell's relationship has developed since the beginning of the show?

They're a little bit like a married couple. They bickered quite a bit in the original series, but I think they bicker even more now. But what's really nice is you couldn't get two more opposite characters in every single way. When you see them going up against each other, it's really fun, but they always work it out in the end and kiss and make up. They absolutely love each other unconditionally, but they just get on each other's nerves and do not understand each other at all.

You grew up with Bad Education and must have learned lots from Jack Whitehall. Are there any pieces of advice that you've passed on to the new Class K? Or have they taught you anything this series?

This series Class K are like seasoned pros, it's like they've been doing it for 10 years. They've got their characters down to a tee and they come into set with great ideas, and just go for it. That's what I said to them at that very first readthrough, if you've got any ideas or you want to try anything, just do it and if it doesn't work, it doesn't matter, but if it does, we'll be in stitches. So that's what they've done. It's brilliant.

Bad Education is one of BBC Three's most successful titles. What is it that you think viewers love so much about it?

There are so many different types of characters and they're not just stereotypes. Everyone can see a bit of themselves or someone they know in a character or two. I think that's what makes any comedy show successful is seeing a person that does relate to you. If you look at Gavin & Stacey, The Inbetweeners, shows that we love, everyone can see a bit of themselves in a particular character. So I think that's what Bad Education does really well.

Vicki Pepperdine (Hoburn)

Bad Education is back for another series. What can viewers expect from the show and Abbey Grove this time around?

Great storylines and plenty of crazy antics that Steven, Harper, Hoburn, Fraser and Class K get themselves into! Basically more wonderful stuff from the brilliant writers, including Layton Williams and Charlie Wernham.

What is your favourite thing about playing Hoburn?

Hoburn is a pretty intense character - dynamic and active, which is always fun to play! In her head she's a hard-hitting, high-flying superwoman with a glittering business career under her belt, but in reality she's a bit of an also-ran, who is reduced to having to deal with "annoying children" all day.

What's it like working with Layton, Charlie and the Class K kids?

Brilliant. Layton plays Steven as such a wonderful positive character which is very inspiring - and Charlie and the fabulous 'Class K' actors all bring so much energy and joy to the set. I feel privileged to work with them all.

How important do you think it is for school based shows to reflect the diversity of backgrounds and life experiences that young people have?

I think it's crucial. At a time when those voices really need to be heard, I feel very proud to be part of a show where there's such ambition to put those diverse, lived experiences on to our screens.

Bad Education is one of BBC Three's most successful titles. What do you think it is that viewers love so much?

It feels modern, fresh, diverse and witty - and funny in a way that isn't poking fun at anyone except itself. It's not cruel comedy, it's positive, with loads of cracking jokes. And the voices in that writers' room are from diverse, young, interesting, hilarious people, who are very connected to the real world and know how to put a funny twist on it!

Mathew Horne (Fraser)

Bad Education is back for another series. What can viewers expect?

I'm very excited that there's another one. Viewers can expect things to be even bigger and better. The whole scale of the show has gone up a level. Quite how everyone has pulled it off, I do not know, but they have.

What is your favourite thing about playing Fraser? And has this changed since you first stepped foot at Abbey Grove?

My favourite thing about playing Fraser is that the team let me improvise a lot and having that creative freedom is a real joy. To have made that character my own in that way is just great, it's really rewarding and exhilarating.

How does it feel to be reunited and working with Layton and Charlie, once again, who you've known since they were teenagers?

It's really amazing to see them both again, after so long, and how they've developed as people and as performers. Layton was always going to be a superstar. And Charlie has worked so hard on his craft, and it is so lovely to see how he's become such an accomplished actor. Charlie is really, technically and artistically something else, he is a very special actor and a really, really great friend. I've actually created a show for him, which we're working on into the rest of the year.

Comedy fans will know and love your work from a range of other comedies, how does Bad Education differ from other productions you've been a part of?

Bad Education came quite soon off the back of Gavin & Stacey. And, I was known for playing Gavin, I will forever be known as Gavin. And I think it was quite difficult for both myself and for audiences to accept this huge departure from something that I was known for so widely because Fraser is so different. But I think what was interesting about Bad Education is that, although it has broad appeal, there's a much younger demographic too. And so over the last 12 years, there is a huge section of the TV audience that only know me for Fraser. Most recently, a kid, maybe 12 or 13, was really excited to see me and wanted a selfie at 6.30am at Oslo airport, because they knew me from Bad Education. So, for me, personally, I kind of get the best of both worlds.

Are there any pieces of advice you've given to Charlie, Layton or the new Class K?

I actually learn from them. As I've got older - I'm 45 now, I've been doing this for 22 years - there are times when you are on set, and you forget that you're living your dream, and you forget to be grateful and you get a little bit jaded in some ways. But then, Class K particularly, they keep me young. Seeing their lust for life, their excitement about being on set is amazing. But also seeing Layton and Charlie and how they've developed. The age they are now is how old I was in Gavin & Stacey and it's kind of remembering being that age and being in that incredible period in my career. And I'm on to a completely different chapter now but it's just a really nice marker. I learn from them more than anything, that I should keep going and keep enjoying what I do because I'm living something that I never thought was possible.

Bad Education is one of BBC Three's most successful titles. What do you think it is that viewers love so much?

I think what's specifically appealing about Bad Education is that it is set in a school. So you have a very broad point of reference for everybody and all audiences and all demographics, because most people have been to school. And I think the other thing, really, is that it's funny. People love to laugh and it's good for you! So I think those two things are a winning combination.

Ali Hadji-Heshmati (Warren)

Bad Education is back for another series. What can viewers expect from the show and Class K this time around?

Overall, I think the series has really taken a step-up from last season. The setups and sequences feel much crazier, much bigger. On set everyone is much more relaxed because we're returning to something that we know.

And what was your favourite scene to film this season?

My favourite scene was definitely the boxing scene, it was so much fun. Harry, who played Lucci Bantz, was brilliant in it. The whole cast and crew were on top form, and I really loved doing something that was so intense and choreographed.

Have you drawn on any of your own experiences while playing Warren?

I really love Warren's eccentricities and his weird energy. He's also a massive theatre nerd, which I can really relate to.

The show started over 10 years ago, and obviously we now see where some of the original Class K have ended up. Where do you see Warren in 10 years?

Personally, I see Warren as a theatrical agent who's very diligent, very by the book and very passionate about all of his clients.

Laura Marcus (Jinx)

Bad Education is back for another series...

Class K are just getting up to their usual shenanigans, but they're still yet to have been taught anything. It was a running joke in Series 4 that not a single lesson was taught and that's still true for this series. More exciting, more ambitious, more colourful, more crazy.

Class K get up to all sorts of mischief at Abbey Grove? Were you more of a troublemaker or teacher's pet at school? And have you drawn in any of your own school experiences while playing Jinx?

I was definitely a goody-two-shoes; I was bit of a suck-up. But there were certain times when I was a very selective nightmare; when I wasn't interested, I made it quite clear, which I think is very similar to Jinx. She's a suck-up, but she's also got a bit of bite to her.

The show started 10 years ago and we now see where some of the original Class K have ended up. Where do you see Jinx in 10 years?

I hope she's saving the world and working for Greenpeace or something. But she could also do a 180 and become a stock broker. I think it will go either way!

Bad Education is one of BBC Three's most successful titles. What do you think it is that makes the show so special?

It's all about joy and making people laugh. I feel like there aren't many shows out there anymore, that are just really silly. It's such a feel good watch and that joy is really infectious. Plus, there are characters that everybody can relate to.

Anthony J Abraham (Inchez)

Class K get up to all sorts of mischief at Abbey Grove. Were you more of a troublemaker or a teacher's pet at school? And have you drawn on any of your own school experiences when playing Inchez?

I probably leant towards the teacher's pet side, unlike my character who is definitely a troublemaker. I did have fun at school, don't get me wrong but I behaved in school, I was always a good student. Inchez likes to have a laugh, especially with his friends and get up to a lot of mischief. So I think we're different in that aspect.

A diverse cast and crew have always been a key part of the Bad Education classroom. How important do you think it is for school based shows to reflect the diversity of backgrounds and life experiences that young people have?

Just from my experience in school, and especially in and around London, there are so many different types of people from different areas of the world that you come across, so I think it's really important to reflect that because it's our reality. And to see the characters in the show all come together in various mixes and blends, it creates so much fun and gives it a nice flavour which I think is really amazing.

Bad Education is one of BBC Three's most successful titles. What do you think it is that makes the show so special?

Well, I think the writers have done a great job with coming up with really fun concepts for each episode. We had a really hard working crew in all areas of production. I have some brilliant cast mates who gave 1000% everyday. All the work everyone's put in has come together to create a show that we enjoy coming back to and that people love to watch as well.

Asha Hassan (Usma)

Bad Education is back for another series. What can viewers expect from the show and Class K this time around?

I think viewers can expect a whole load of craziness and pizazz. We've got so much more going on this year. The characters go on so many journeys, so many twists and turns, it's a lot to look forward to.

And how did it feel returning to Abbey Grove for another series?

It felt amazing. It felt so good. All of us guys get along so well and we're all super close. And it just felt like being back at home honestly.

What was your favourite scene to film this series?

I would say my favourite scene has to be Mitchell's singing sequence for the Christmas episode. It was amazing. We spent weeks rehearsing it and going over it again. It was most of the cast's first time properly getting down a routine. It was just so funny to see all of us in that way and we came together and smashed it, so that's got to be the most joyful and the best moment.

Bad Education is one of BBC Three's most successful titles. What do you think it is that makes the show so special?

There are not many shows that are just pure joy, just having fun and laughs and giggles and nothing too political. So I feel like that is the show's strongest point. It's just a bunch of kids and two of their favourite teachers having a laugh every day and getting up to mischief. You can't hate it.

Bobby Johnson (Harrison)

Bad Education is back. What is coming up?

We've got a little bit more manic, a little bit more crazy. It feels like there's a lot more packed into each episode and hopefully, everyone's gonna get to know the characters a little bit better. And I think everyone really did a great job. It's a season fans can be proud of and that we can be proud of.

A diverse cast and crew has always been a key part of the Bad Education classroom. How important do you think it is for a school based show to reflect such diversity on screen and reflect the life experiences that people have?

When I went to school, there were people from all different backgrounds, all different ethnicities, all different heritage, it was a breeding ground of culture and celebrating differences. So when we come into Abbey Grove, and we're all from different backgrounds, it just reflects a realistic school - this is what school looks like. So I think it's really important to celebrate that and to acknowledge that school is a place where you can really celebrate each other's uniqueness.

Bad Education is one of BBC Three's most successful titles. What do you think it is that makes the show so special?

Anyone who watches it wishes that their school life could have been like that. And the things that we've all thought going through school, but you can't really say, Bad Education shines light on that. And it's just fun, pleasurable TV. It will make you laugh, you might even feel things.

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers (Blessing)

How did it feel returning to Abbey Grove for a second series?

I'm very grateful to be returning again and to have another opportunity to work with the incredible cast and crew. I was so excited to see the rest of the Class K crew again, and Layton and Charlie and Mat and Vicki, the whole team. It's a pleasure to work with everyone.

And what was your favourite scene to film?

I'm really looking forward to watching Charlie's episode Boxing. I think it's always such a special perspective when an actor within the show, especially one who's been with Bad Education for years, has another creative outlet to input. I think it was a standout episode to film for me.

How important do you think it is for a diversity of backgrounds and life experiences to be represented on a show like Bad Education?

A strength of the show is that it celebrates individuality, uniqueness and accepting people for their full selves. I think that's really important for young people to see they can be the fullest versions of themselves and that's okay, it's accepted and it's celebrated.

Jack Whitehall

How have you enjoyed seeing the reaction to the new cast following the success of Series 4? Do you feel like a proud teacher having passed the baton to Charlie and Layton?

Definitely, I do have this weird feeling of them being like my pupils and it's wonderful to watch Charlie and Layton flourish and spread their wings, as they take the series off in new and exciting directions. I'm immensely proud of them and I think they're both superbly talented performers and writers, with both of them writing on this new series, which was great. It's such a collaborative process and I'm certainly pleased that Charlie and Layton are involved in every aspect of the show, and they're able to imprint their personalities on it.

It's always a little bit daunting, the idea of revisiting a show that was successful and was really loved by its fans, and you want to make sure that you do it justice, but I think they've surpassed all expectations. It's lovely to see it, not only pleasing the fans of the original series, but garnering this whole new audience as well.

Can you tell us a bit more about your role as an executive producer? How have you found that?

It's great, it's a lot less intense than it used to be in terms of having to star in it, write and produce the show myself. It's nice to take a little bit of a backseat and allow other people to flourish and do their thing. We've put together a really great group of talented people, from Freddy our director and head writer, to the new young cast (and we had such fun finding this new class of kids). I've always enjoyed the production side of things and it's been really nice on this to be helpful where necessary and dip in if it's useful.

What are you most looking forward to seeing come alive on screen in this series?

I'm really looking forward to the boxing episode - that's an episode that I remember reading the first draft of the script and thinking it had so much potential to be really funny on the screen. There's also a school trip episode and, in the original series, it was always one of my favourite things to see the characters outside of the confines of Abbey Grove and let loose in the wild.

I'm really looking forward to just seeing the chemistry of the cast in the new series. You always need to have that first season to find your feet and to work out what all the fun dynamics are between the various characters and then you can really dig a little deeper in the next series and you're writing about characters that you know.

We last saw Alfie leaving to be with Miss Gulliver in Lebanon. What do you think Alfie is up to now?

It's definitely going to be increasingly harder to crowbar him into potential future series given that we've put him in a different country and now he's dead and as a ghost, but I'm sure we'll think of a creative way of having one last hurrah! I like to think that maybe he settled down with Gulliver and is living happily ever after but I suspect he's probably already cocked that up so who knows?

Freddy Syborn

You've been involved in the show since the beginning, how does it feel knowing so many people still love the characters you created over 10 years ago?

It's quite surprising in some ways that people still love the world that we came up with and that energy. But it's really great that our old fans are coming back. And it's really nice that new fans are discovering the show.

How has Bad Education changed since you first started writing the show?

Jack and I wrote most of the original show together, and then we were writing for Jack and leaning into his strengths as a performer, and now we've got Charlie and Layton and that has changed the way we write because the comic engine of the show is now a double act. And that's just so different. It's really lovely to lean into the talents of those two in the way that we lent into Jack. That was the thing that Jack and I were excited about from the beginning. We didn't just want to do a reunion, or a one-off Christmas special, we wanted to give people a show where Layton and Charlie were at the centre, because we love them, and we love working with them, and they love each other which is something that you can't fake.

A diverse cast and crew has always been a key part of the Bad Education classroom. How important do you think it is for a school based show to reflect the diversity of backgrounds and life experiences that young people have?

In an ensemble show, you naturally want that breadth because you need lots of points of view. If everyone's the same, then it's not going to be any fun. I think in the original show, it was always surprising that people would come up and say that they identified with one or other of the young kids and one of the young members of the class. And we've just continued that tradition, but we've taken even more joy from it this time.