Comedians to look out for in Series 2 of Extraordinary
This month, the second series of BAFTA-nominated superhero comedy series Extraordinary was released on Disney+ to critical acclaim and another 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But for alternative comedy's very own Luke Rollason, who stars as cat-turned-man Jizzlord, the highlight of the series is the homegrown comedy talent joining the cast for Series 2.
Luke told us: "I love that it feels like the casting and production team of Extraordinary are really in touch with the UK comedy scene, and it is so rewarding to see comedians I love share their weird and wonderful selves with a wider TV audience."
British Comedy Guide caught up with Luke to talk about which familiar faces UK comedy fans can catch in the second series of Extraordinary...
Helen Bauer plays Taylor
The stand-up star has featured on Live At The Apollo and co-hosts hit podcast Trusty Hogs with Catherine Bohart. Helen plays Taylor, a bride-to-be with sinister mind control powers who encounters Jizzlord on her hen party.
Luke says: "Emma Moran [writer of Extraordinary] definitely wrote this part for Helen, because who else could fellate a courgette whilst belting Love Machine to a room full of male strippers. Her performance is totally unhinged and absolute comic gold. I was absolutely exhausted by the end of the day. Do not take Helen to karaoke."
Michael Clarke plays Chris
Michael Clarke is best known as a member of Crybabies, the Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated trio who recently released a version of their hit show Bagbeard on Radio 4. He plays Chris, a figure from Jizzlord's past. The two struggle to reconnect after Jizzlord has spent three years trapped as a cat. Michael also stars in Netflix's Lockwood & Co.
Luke comments: "I absolutely love Michael's work in Extraordinary. He elevates slack-jawed gormlessness to pure poetry. We've known each other since we shared an Edinburgh venue under a Brazilian restaurant in 2019, so it was such a joy when he was cast as this character who has history with Jizzlord and holds the key to his past".
Rosa Robson plays Nora
Rosa Robson is an actor and Cambridge Footlights alumni who has performed at the RSC, as well as in TV series such as Big Boys, Buffering and The Outlaws. However, comedy fans might also recognise Rosa from surreal sketch double act Beard, who brought shows to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012, 2014 and 2015. She plays Nora, a figure from Jizzlord's past whose telepathic powers further complicate his burgeoning relationship with Jen (Máiréad Tyers).
According to Luke: "Rosa is terrifyingly talented. I don't think I've ever seen anyone pull off side-eye in extreme close-up like her. Her work in Episode 6 is absolutely explosive and she acts me off the screen in every single scene we share".
Mikey Bligh-Smith plays Chameleon Guy
Mikey Bligh-Smith is best known as one half of alternative comedy duo The Lovely Boys, alongside Joe Kent-Walters. He plays a meddling co-worker (with chameleonic gifts) at the workplace of Carrie, played by Sofia Oxenham.
Luke notes: "The production team got to know Mikey after he played a singing armchair in my 2022 solo show Bowerbird. In the original draft of the script, Chameleon Guy camouflaged himself as an office chair, so I like to think that this part was written for Mikey and his profound ability to portray a chair".
Georgia House plays Taylor (another one)
Georgia House is a comedy producer and writer who has a cameo as a member of Taylor's hen party (pictured second from the right, above). She has no previous acting experience. Georgia House Productions has previously brought Crizards, Christian Brighty, Sophie Zucker and Matty Hutson to the Edinburgh Fringe.
"Me and Georgia thought it would be funny if she was an extra at the Tony's Hog House, where Jizzlord accidentally gets a job in Episode 7. She ended up being featured in Helen Bauer's hen party, which means she was on camera loads. She hates being on camera. She has forgiven me" says Luke.
Watch Extraordinary via Disney+
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