Henpocalypse!

Cast interview

Henpocalypse! focuses on a bridal party from Birmingham who travel to an isolated Welsh cottage. However, their plans for fun get derailed by the end of the world. Here's interviews with the key cast members...

Elizabeth Berrington

Henpocalypse! is so much fun, what attracted you to your role?

I was attracted to the writing, it's such a preposterous premise and the situations the characters find themselves in are so comical. The jokes and punchlines are absolute comedy classics.

Can you tell us a bit about your character, Bernadette?

She's a survivor, a very dominant force of nature. You absolutely want Bern on your team at all times, she's the Mick Lynch of the post-apocalypse she'll put up with absolutely no BS at the end of the world. 'All opinions expressed are my own'!

Bernadette is the matriarch of the show, and is very much leading the pack in their fight for survival, and it turns out is a bit of a businesswoman - are there any parts of her that you can relate to?

I think Bern has nerves of steel and stupendous confidence and is absolutely nothing like me at all. I'm not sure I'd defend anyone or anything in her situation, I'd just crumple and weep.

Tell us about Bernadette's relationship with her daughter Zara.

Zara is the best thing that's ever happened to Bern. She is Bernadette's pet project; she has lavished all her time, money, energy & looks on bringing up Zara, and Zara must BEND TO HER MOTHER'S WILL OR ELSE!

How was it working with the other actresses that make up the incredible cast and have you worked with any of them previously?

I had never met any of the cast before and I now intend to have all their names branded on to my body as I refuse to work without them.

You come up against some tough adversaries in the Core Strength Bitches in the show, what can you tell us about them?

The Core Strength Bitches are as good as AI - they are so perfect, they completely have their shit together. They look nice, feel nice and definitely smell nice. We however, are the opposite.

Do you think you would you survive in an apocalypse? What tactics would you employ?

There is absolutely no way I could survive or want to survive in their situation. My plan would be to give up ASAP.

How would you describe the tone for this series?

The show has elements of Blair Witch Project/Bridesmaids (in Llandudno) and Road - 'are they going to get eaten? Will they eat each other?' with glorious gags! As for tone, its ring tone is just very funny.

Do you have any funny tales from set you can tell us?

There is a scatological tale that must not be repeated to protect individuals involved (obvs). What happened in Pensby stays in Pensby.

Lucie Shorthouse

What attracted you to your role as Zara?

What didn't! It's very fun, effervescent, bubbly, and larger than life. I love that it's a female-centric comedy, so I got to work with a great group of women. What also attracted me was that I know these women; the voice is so hearty and homey in terms of what I know and the people I know from growing up, so it felt like a great homage to Midlands girls.

Can you tell us a bit about Zara...

Zara is the bridezilla of all bridezillas, it's her hen do and it's the reason why they've gone away and she's very much 'me, me me', she's the centre of attention and this wedding of hers will be the greatest event in history. I don't think she's even envisaged her life after the wedding to be honest, so this apocalypse is most inconvenient because the event of the century is now being impaired.

Are there any parts of your character you can relate to?

I think I definitely recognise parts of myself in Zara, a younger me for sure and it was quite fun to relive those kind of more self-absorbed less evolved days. I can definitely relate to Zara's petulance, I know that when I'm tired or when I'm around my dad in particular, I revert to little childish, petulant Lucie and it's very Zara-esque! I was channelling 18 year-old me when I was in playing her.

Zara, at times, is not very nice to her friends, why do you think that is?

I think Zara is a Bridezilla purely because she wants to get this right. She's someone who loves attention, the spotlight and what greater event to have that then her wedding. I think she's married to the wedding idea, but she hasn't actually thought about what her life is going to be after this wedding, and I think if the wedding does go ahead, I see her being incredibly miserable and disappointed on the other side of it when she hasn't got that big event to look forward to.

I don't want to label her as insecure or childish in any way because that's not who she is, she's actually a really beautiful character but I think a lot of that need for attention is over compensating for deep insecurity. Her currency in the world has been how she looks and how she presents herself. In fact, I think it's really empowering that Zara, even in the midst of the apocalypse, make herself feel and look as beautiful and good as possible in her own warped way.

How would you describe Zara's relationship with her mother?

It's very co-dependent and in some ways, it's a beautiful friendship that I recognise a lot, in single mum families with just mother and daughter where it becomes kind of a best friend situation and you know, they both give each other so much purpose, it's a very reciprocal exchange. I think Zara has never been held fully accountable for her actions, which just enables her to still be quite petulant and childish, even at this age.

Why is it so important for Zara to keep up her appearance during the apocalypse?

I think during the apocalypse, she wants to look good for herself and I think that's really telling and important that they're in an environment where vanity and your appearance as a currency is no longer valid, no one's seeing you, but it's purely for her to feel good and look good. I think we can so easily dismiss it as it being trivial and she's focusing on the wrong things, but actually, no, she's doing something to make herself feel better within herself. Feel more capable, more worthy, stronger, smarter and I think we can all take from that, actually, because I think a lot of us might assume that she's doing it for vanity, but I actually think it empowers her in a really beautiful way.

How was it working with the other actresses that make up the incredible cast and have you worked with any of them previously?

I hadn't worked with any of the cast previously but it was just utter, total joy from the get go. I couldn't have asked for a better ensemble of women to go on this journey with and each one of them, I've learned something different from. What's great is that the show is about a group of women coming together and all from different walks of life and that's exactly what we are as actresses coming into this project.

What did you think of Caroline Moran's writing?

I loved Caroline's script when I first read it! I remember getting the audition and my best friend read in for me and we still laugh because we recognise how much Zara was a bit of me, and it's always nice when the writing fits so nicely, and it was a joy to get to bring her words to life.

Did you have any favourite scenes to film?

I'd say probably all our favourite scenes to film were ones involving Jen because she's just such a gift of a character.

Do you think you would you survive in an apocalypse?

This has made me realise that I actually probably wouldn't do that well in an apocalypse but I think I would survive and fare very well if I had a child or a friend's child to look after. Otherwise, I think I probably lie down and take the easiest, sleepiest route.

What do you love about your area of the Midlands?

I was so excited to do something from the Midlands because I think we get a bad rep, but it's home for me and there's something special about hearing the accent. It just reminded me of everyone I know from back home, which was lovely. I'm a massive Wolves fan.

Why should viewers tune in?

For a laugh, warmth, an escape and just for fun thrills, and I think it's very touching in some regards.

Callie Cooke

What attracted you to this show?

It's not every day you get a script about a group of women from the Midlands trying to survive the apocalypse. I thought the script was completely mad but completely hilarious.

Can you tell us a bit about your character Shelly?

Shelly is our very hard done by but wonderfully loveable chief bridesmaid. I guess we see a lot of the show through her eyes, and she deals with platonic love versus romantic love, all whilst trying not to get eaten by zombies!!

Are there any parts of your character you can relate to?

Definitely. I mean she makes some questionable decisions but ultimately, she has a huge heart. I also think trying to survive an apocalypse with my best mates would be great craic.

Shelly has some secrets, do you think that is why she is a bit of a push over with the other girls?

She deals with a huge guilt complex and struggles to find her feet with the other girls. Zara hasn't been the best to her over the years and her confidence is pretty shot.

How was it working with the other actresses that make up the incredible cast?

Can't stand them!! No, annoyingly they are the new loves of my life and working with them all was an utter joy. I'm not sure you can even call it work.

It's such a strong female ensemble, how did that compare to other shows and environments you've worked in before?

I've never been on a show where the main five cast are all female. I think it created a totally safe and warm space where people really enjoyed coming to work. We were all able to be ridiculously silly with one another with absolutely zero ego in the room. Every single crew member (particularly the lads) became honorary hens by the end of the shoot.

Did you have a favourite scene to film?

I LOVED any scene involving Kate O'Flynn because she is my spirit animal when it comes to corpsing and there is honestly no greater feeling. The scene in the pilot episode in the basement was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do because her stupid little face was making me laugh so much.

What did you think of Caroline Moran's writing when you first read the scripts?

My initial thought was this is either going to be iconic or absolutely mental. I think maybe it's both?! She writes dialogue like nobody else I know.

You come up against some tough adversaries in the Core Strength Bitches in the show, what can you tell us about them?

I think it's not that we fear them but it's more we've never met these types of women before. Not a great deal of pilates happening on our estate. I think it's hilarious that we've gone completely feral whilst they're doing their kegel exercises.

Do you think you would you survive in an apocalypse?

Absolutely not. I once did a zombie apocalypse experience thing, and I was the first one to get bitten and then just had to be the decoy for the rest of the day.

How would you describe the tone for this series?

Bridesmaids meets Pitch Perfect meets Shaun Of The Dead meets Mad Max.

Do you have any funny tales from set you can tell us?

Honestly every day was a joy. All the girls made me laugh SO much. Even on one of our toughest days shooting, Lucie and Lauren fell through the easy up tent and took the entire tent down with them. Elizabeth helped them up and I just filmed it. We were all hysterical whilst being battered by every possible weather condition.

How important was it for you to be part of the show that has empowered females from the Midlands at the helm?

It feels special. I feel we're underrepresented on screen which is mad because there's so much talent in the Midlands. Leading this show has been one of the proudest moments of my career so far.

What do you love about your area of the Midlands?

The people. Everyone is a bit mad and always knows someone who has a pet ferret.

Finally why do you think viewers should tune in?

Because it is completely mad. I think there's something in it for everyone. Also Danny Dyer is a national treasure and I'd watch anything he's in.

Kate O'Flynn

Henpocalypse! is so much fun. What attracted you to your role?

It was the script really, it just leapt off the page. Caz, the writer, has such a brilliantly distinctive, singular voice - it wasn't like anything else I'd read and I loved that there were five very unique and uniquely funny female characters at the centre of it.

Can you tell us a bit about your character?

Jen is Zara's cousin and is very much at the bottom of the hierarchy of the group, she's a bit of an outsider. But Jen is certainly a trier and unwaveringly upbeat in difficult circumstances; she is always able to crack a joke to try and keep the hens' spirits up, even if these jokes fall flat. She's also a bit of a liability on a night out, inevitably becoming the most inebriated - and she can get very emotional and quite volatile when she's had one too many. Added to the mix, she's incredibly accident prone, so all in all she's a bit of a wild card.

Are there any parts of your character you can relate to?

I think I come across very differently to Jen but I have a soft spot for her and a sneaking suspicion she might be my inner spirit animal...

What was it like working with Danny Dyer?

Working with Danny was fabulous. He's such a brilliant actor and I was so excited to get to play the scenes Caz had written for us. He got the tone of it straight away and was totally on board and behind it as a project. I had a real laugh with him - it was a mad three days of filming and we got quite hysterical at some points and once he'd gone it felt like some crazy fever dream.

Was Danny Dyer's characterisation of himself what you expected it to be?

It was everything I expected it to be and more! There were a couple of phrases in the script that Danny would be like 'I wouldn't say that', and I guess he's the expert right?! It must have been quite surreal to be playing Jen's fantasy version of himself, but he was so up for it and such easy company.

Did you have a favourite scene to film?

I loved the action sequences the hens got to do in the final episode. I was fulfilling a childhood dream to be an action hero... although I was playing Jen so it wasn't quite as skilfully executed as some of Schwarzenegger's big set pieces.

What did you think of Caroline Moran's writing when you first read the scripts?

Caz is a unique talent. I found the scripts so satisfying to read and there's such confidence in her writing, the world and the characters are so clearly defined, it's a gift to work on as an actor.

It's such a strong female ensemble, how did that compare to other shows and environments you've worked in before?

There was a real camaraderie on Henpocalypse!. It was great hanging out with all those fantastic women. It was an incredibly supportive environment and there was this 'get on with it' mentality whatever the weather. There was no room for egos because we all wanted to make the best series we could.

How would you fare living in a cottage in those conditions and having to do the things your character had to do?

I really don't think I would survive Jen's gangrenous leg. Her resilience is underestimated by the group!

What tactics would you employ in an apocalypse?

I'd head to the hills with as much tinned food as I could muster and summon my inner Ray Mears to try and last the first winter.

How would you describe the tone for this series?

Brummie Last Of Us with fewer mushrooms and more dildos?

Finally why do you think viewers should tune in?

Henpocalypse! may be set in an apocalyptic landscape but at its heart are things everyone can relate to - how to navigate friendships and relationships, how to keep fighting when the chips are down and it's incredibly funny in the telling. Those Brummie hens are a gang you will want to root for.

Lauren O'Rourke

What attracted you to the series?

When we first auditioned I only got one scene of the script and the synopsis was 'girls from Birmingham go on a hen do' and, I just thought 'well it's set in Birmingham, I'm from Birmingham, absolutely won't get this part because I never get anything that set in Birmingham'. So initially it was the Midlands setting, and I'm really passionate about anything in the Midlands and it looked really fun!

Can you tell us a bit about your character?

My character Veena is a beautician, which is so far removed from who I am, because I can't even plait hair, never mind thread eyebrows! She's a beautician with a twist; she's actually quite masculine, and I think she's quite no nonsense and direct. She'll let things slide but if you do anything stupid she is there with a quip to undermine you, and I can relate to that.

Veena is very practical, often utilising anything and everything in order to survive, are you practical in real life?

When the director first sat down with me, he asked how practical I was, and I said 'no, not at all can't do anything' but as we were filming, little things happened like the electrics blew, and I said 'oh, you need to change the fuse in that heater, that's why everything's gone' and talking about a car, I said 'oh the fluids run out' and there's loads of things that, as we went on, turns out I am quite practical and I know quite a few things about electrics!

Have you worked with the cast previously?

No, I hadn't worked with any of them before and I've never met such a down to earth cast. I've always been a fan of Kate O'Flynn and obviously the amazing Elizabeth Berrington. It was kind of surreal as everyone was so talented and good in their roles. And it's also quite sad because I was one of the older ones - I don't really know where the last 10 years have gone - when I was one of the younger ones, but it was nice to work with fresh meat and be the old mutton in the cast.

It's such a strong female ensemble, how did that compare to other shows and environments you've worked in before?

I've actually been really lucky as this is my second all female lead cast [after Drifters], and I feel so incredibly lucky to get to do that again. I sort of take it for granted because my main jobs have been leads with other lead women. I think people just think we sit around and talk about periods and relationships, which we do! I think what happened having such a female led show was all the men became honouree hens especially our sound guy, he would just hang out in the greenroom just to join in our chats.

Did you have a favourite scene to film?

My favourite scene to film was anything with action in or anything where I was getting chased, for example, we did a funeral scene and we had a supporting artist run on and shout 'National Trust property!' and he had to chase us but there was no end to the chase, the director just let it carry on. So in short, I was just being chased by a random man in a park and some people said it gave me sexual thrills but it didn't, I just want to clarify that that now... but it was a thrill! So any scenes where I read ahead and I was like 'yes, we are getting chased tomorrow' was a real bonus.

What do you think of Caroline Moran's writing when you first read the scripts?

They are were brilliant and so unique, her writing really appeals cross generations, and there's some really unique references to the Midlands that will go over some people's heads, but I totally understand what she means. I think when I watched Raised By Wolves it hurt because I wasn't in it, but that's what I really loved is that unique charm that Midlanders have and I really think Caroline's captured that.

She's really managed to write some things that my mum could watch, and my aunts could watch and also my nieces and nephews, that's quite a great achievement!

How would you fare living in a cottage in those conditions and having to do the things your character had to do?

I feel like we did live in that cottage because we genuinely filmed for 10 days in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, in Wales, and we were surrounded by sheep, and I think I did lose it a little bit.

Do you think you would survive in apocalypse? What tactics would you employ?

I think I'm too lazy to survive an apocalypse, I'd probably just chill, let it happen and ride out the wave. Tactics I would employ would be aggression and just stealing. I don't think many people would be my friend, you wouldn't want to see me in an apocalypse, that's all I'll say.

How would you describe the tone of the series?

I would describe it as a dark comedy but naturalistic. Well, as natural as you can be when it involves crab measles.

Do you have funny tales from the set you can tell us?

I've got one I can't tell but all I'll say is 'the Pensby clogger...'

How important was it for you to be part of the show that features empowered females from the Midlands?

It's so important. I genuinely would have been devastated if this show came on my TV and I wasn't a part of it. It's everything, it's the Midlands, but it's also Birmingham, it's the accents, it's the sense of humour, it's the silliness. It's just such a fun show and if I was just watching it I'd obviously say it was terrible because I'm not in it, and I'd be so jealous. So I'm so thankful that I managed to worm my way in there.

What do you love about your area, the Midlands - Birmingham?

I love the Midlands, because you've only got to look at the likes of Jasper Carrott to realise that everyone from the Midlands is so grounded and down to earth, it doesn't matter what success levels you reach, no one's going to celebrate you, so forget about that. I'm a big mittens fan, that's why I still live here.

Why do you think viewers should tune in?

I just think you should watch the show because there's nothing else like it on telly. Obviously there's numerous shows that cover female friendships in different ways but I think this one's great because it shows what happens when your friendships are tested to the absolute limits. I think you can watch it and think of your own friendship group and think like 'yeah, I'd get rid of them in an apocalypse and they'd be no good' and you can really put yourself in the situation.

It's original, and I think it's cool and there's a character for everyone that you'll be able to identify with, and relate to. It's something really special.