Murder, They Hope

Sian Gibson & Johnny Vegas interview

Sian Gibson and Johnny Vegas talk about the 2024 Murder, They Hope special, Apocalypse Slough.

Sian Gibson

What can you tell us about the plot of Apocalypse Slough?

Gemma has been recruited as an investigator at the serious crimes agency and is loving her new responsibilities (and rubbing it in Terry's face). When Gemma and Terry go to investigate two suspicious deaths at a local rugby club things are not what they seem, and they realise there's more to the rugby club members than meets the eye. Things go much darker than they've gone before in this special, and I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say there's underground caves, doomsday clocks and Matthew Kelly doing jujitsu in a gas mask - what more do you want?

What was it like being back on set for another special of Murder, They Hope?

It's always brilliant, I love this job. It's honestly such an amazing atmosphere on and off set. Most of our crew return year after year and they help make it so much fun. As always, it's a complete delight to be reunited with the writer Jason Cook, director Ed Bye, the beautiful and hilarious Sarah Hadland and obviously the absolute legend that is Johnny V. We've all become great friends, and we laugh all day. It's not really work.

Gemma has finally achieved her dreams of becoming an investigator at the Serious Crime Agency (SCA). How was the gruelling training?

I don't know what Gemma thought, but I was absolutely knackered filming it, I'll tell you that for nothing. Our director Ed Bye didn't make it easy for me and I was scrabbling through army nets in the mud and running around a forest - like a poor man's Bear Grylls. Not easy after three weeks of stuffing my face at the catering van on set like I was on an all-inclusive cruise.

Gemma is a little clumsy when it comes to her newly assigned gun. How are your firearm skills?

Funnily enough I have never been asked that question before, but like Gemma, I am also extremely clumsy, so imagine I would be equally as bad as she is. Although I've recently discovered I am very good at darts, so you never know.

When I say very good, I mean way better than I thought I'd be - and I hit the board with every throw.

Terry was denied a space at SCA. How does this affect their relationship?

Gemma has always been the more ambitious of the two and Terry has reluctantly followed her into a career of private investigating to make her happy. He is supportive of her new promotion at the start, but as Gemma becomes more and more ruthless, Terry becomes more despondent, and their relationship begins to suffer.

The special has another incredible line-up of guest stars (Sanjeev Bhaskar, Shaun Williamson, Annette Badland, Matthew Kelly, Gemma Jones - to name a few), what was it like working with everyone?

Wow, I mean it's an absolutely incredible line-up, they are all legends, aren't they? We had so much fun filming this episode, and every actor was inspiring to watch and work with, the best of the best and all genuinely lovely and massively talented, proper funny people. As you can probably tell, I was more than a little starstruck. Each year, we also get ridiculously excited about the new cast joining us and we have never been disappointed.

Do you have a favourite scene you filmed from this special?

Probably spending the day on an inflatable assault course. Need I say more?

Are there any funny BTS moments you can share?

When you have a comedy cast like ours there's always funny moments on set, with amazing stories and anecdotes being shared. The gossip is off the scale. Too many funny highlights including impromptu dance routines, chocolate binges, Johnny falling asleep and Sarah Hadland getting stuck in a bush in her gigantic platforms.

What do you love most about playing Gemma?

Gemma is friendly, ambitious, kind and always optimistic (maybe a bit too much) but she also has a fiery temper that would make Joan Collins blush. She definitely wears the trousers in her relationship with Terry so it's great that I'm getting paid to boss Johnny Vegas about all day (in character, obviously!).

I also love Gemma's relationship with her bossy sister Monica and have great fun laughing and gossiping with Sarah Hadland over countless cups of tea all day.

The Christmas special - Blood Actually - was such a hit was audiences. Why do you think people love Murder, They Hope? And in particular, Terry and Gemma as a duo?

Hopefully this show gives everyone some light relief and a bit of a laugh. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and after the rubbish couple of years we've all had, I think it's just what people need. Johnny and I are great friends in real life so I think/hope that chemistry comes through on screen. Johnny's a brilliant actor, he makes every line seem so natural and can find the funny in anything. We know each other so well we know exactly what the other one is thinking with just a look - which can be very dangerous.

What unexpected skill do you have that would come in handy during an apocalypse?

I can polish off a bag of Maltesers in under a minute, so hopefully that would come in handy.

What song would be your apocalypse survival anthem and why?

Edge of Heaven by Wham!. Sounds apt, and seems as good a time as any to get a bit of George out.

What can audiences expect from Apocalypse Slough?

There's going to be lots more laughs, more drama and more horrific killing sprees, fun for all the family. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as we enjoyed making it.

Johnny Vegas

What can you tell us about the plot of Apocalypse Slough?

The plot is an investigation into one thing, which ends up leading to something far bigger! And as usual, a bit more out of Terry and Gemma's depth. They have the help of Monica (Sarah Hadland's character) again this series, and it's another case that should be straight forward but runs away with them. It's all about an apocalyptic cult facing the end of the world, and it involves a lot more people than Gemma and Terry realise, so it becomes a case of 'trust nobody'.

What was it like being back on set for another Murder, They Hope installment?

It's funny, we've done so many now that I'm always far more interested in what it's like for the guest stars. Without sounding like a broken record, it's always great to be back and lovely to see Sian. It gives us an excuse to hang out. Every series I love meeting the amazing new cast, but then I just start wishing that we didn't have to kill them all off! You're almost afraid to make friends, I think I've started to keep them at arm's length so it's not as painful. Way back in the very first series, we killed Kevin Eldon off! That one hit us so hard that we were asking if he could have had a twin, just so we could bring him back.

How does Terry feel about Gemma's new role at the Serious Crimes Agency (SCA) and her newfound authority, especially since she now carries a gun?

Quite honestly, if I was given the freedom to explore my own character - I would say he's afraid of her! He may voice his concerns sometimes but there's a lot of eye rolling from Terry and he's just asking for a quiet life. As Gemma's confidence is building in leaps and bounds, Terry is a little bit more reserved. His brain is always working on the crimes, but he is happy to let her take the lead. But the gun, he's definitely not happy with!

Every time Terry thinks he knows where the land lies, Gemma gets more exuberant and pushes him that little bit further, but he absolutely loves the bones of her. There's a lovely moment at the end of the show where you'll see that although he looks like he's not very bothered sometimes, he's actually a very supportive guy who does absolutely adore the ground she walks on.

The special has another incredible line-up of guest stars. What was it like working with everyone?

It was lovely working with everyone! It was brilliant to watch Sanjeev Bhaskar work, and Matthew Kelly. Him and I did Bleak House together years ago, so it was like a reunion; he was a joy!

I love it because the whole cast, old and new, come in and they play it straight, they're not afraid to embrace the farcical side of it. It's a bit like filming a Christmas party or a works do, that's the way I see it - everyone cutting loose a little bit. It's great to sit back, watch and learn from the new and the old, it's lovely!

What do you love most about playing Terry?

This makes me sound lazy, but I love that it's not too much of a stretch. I think by being lucky enough to have known Jason for so long, he knows where my comic strength lies and he can write for them. You can just turn up and enjoy it and fall into character so easily!

The Christmas special - Blood Actually - was such a hit was audiences. Why do you think people love Murder, They Hope? And in particular, Terry and Gemma as a duo?

The feedback that we always get is that Terry and Gemma are loved, and people love trying to guess who is going to die next. Trying to figure out the murder mystery whilst laughing along the way draws people in and I think people know they are in a safe pair of hands watching Murder, They Hope - they trust in the brand, and also love to find out who is going to appear in the next series.

Jane Horrocks was in the previous special, Blood Actually, and I was such a fan of hers for so long - so meeting and working with her was great, and Anita Dobson was so funny! It's a lovely surprise for us. That's also what keeps it fresh as people want to see the varied cast. The young cast coming in put such an energy into it, and the old cast embrace that!

If Terry had to lead a survival group in an apocalypse, what would be his first rule?

Oh, it would have to be something about breaking wind wouldn't it! Or just the simple fact that listening is essential to staying alive. Or, as leader, that I get first choice of pasties!

What can audiences expect from Apocalypse Slough?

Larger than life performances, loads of people having fun but playing it as straight as we can for what is a comic script! Also the element of 'where is this going to take us?' Within the mix of the humour, at its heart it's still a murder mystery.

What do you think is next for Terry and Gemma?

I would ordinarily say couples counselling, but we've been there and that didn't work out! I think Terry could really make a big push to get back on the open road, I think he misses the freedom of when they first met. But if Gemma had her way it would be a full-blown detective agency. She wants to break an international case, she is go big or go home! Whereas Terry would be comfortable catching a shoplifter.

Apocalypse Slough is on Gold on Thursday at 9pm.