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The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Transaction review – ITV's anarchic new sitcom dives right into the most taboo parts of trans life
It's a long time since ITV set the comedy world alight. The 1990s threw up some random highlights – Jeeves and Wooster, the ubiquitous Mr Bean – but the next decade was something of a sitcom wasteland until Derren Litten's outrageously funny Benidorm pitched up. That was followed a mere six years later by Plebs (essentially: if The Inbetweeners were Romans) and job centre-based comedy The Job Lot, whose title's feel of this-pun-dictated-the-entire-premise still causes me to break out in a cold sweat. Yet despite these shows being the broadcaster's only notable contributions to the form this century, ITV comedy still feels like a distinctive subgenre, one defined by old-school story beats and all the edge of a bouncy ball. Into this decidedly unradical template struts Jordan Gray, the singer turned standup who in 2022 became the first transgender person to headline the London Palladium with her Edinburgh-award nominated hit show Is It A Bird? With her new sitcom, the 36-year-old provides the mainstream comedy mould with fresh fodder. We first encounter our hero, Liv, via a parody of one of those cheesy 00s razor adverts: a silky dressing gown is dropped; blades glide along already spotless shins and armpits – but then this classy babe begins shaving her face and urinating in the sink. The punchline? Her longsuffering housemate Tom (Thomas Gray) has been sitting on the toilet the whole time. From that point on, you suspect Transaction is honouring a sitcom style powered by an endless stream of silly, semi-predictable jokes and ludicrously contrived storylines in exchange for the chance to present a nuanced portrait of a transgender woman at a time when dehumanisation remains rife. Liv is charismatic and clever, but she is also lazy, workshy, irritating, jealous and selfish. These are all positives, by the way – anyone who thinks progressive representation in comedy involves nice characters being nice to each other all day long is sorely mistaken. Transaction's major arc involves Tom's employer, a supermarket called Pellocks, which has caused controversy by inadvertently plastering 'lady boys get out' on a billboard. Obviously this isn't remotely plausible, but such creaky plotting does give stressed-out, well-meaning boss Simon (Nick Frost) a reason to hire Liv – who he somehow knows is Tom's flatmate – in an effort to quell the protest outside. Once she realises she can't be fired (the optics would be terrible), Liv decides to be an awful employee. But she does disarm the indignant crowds with an irreverent speech. 'When I told my dad I was becoming a woman,' she announces solemnly, 'he said I could never pull it off. I said I'd probably get a doctor to do that bit, Father.' You could envisage a variation on this joke being told, wince-inducingly, by a blokey comic decades ago. Coming from Gray, it feels like snort-inducingly harmless fun. That said, walking the line between enlightened and unreconstructed humour is not always so straightforward. Liv's other colleagues are conscientious Millie (the charming Francesca Mills), who has dwarfism, and 'beefy Linda' (an impeccably deadpan Kayla Meikle), who is Black. When Liv declares that the trio resemble 'the setup to a joke that would get you uninvited to Christmas dinner,' moments after delivering a duff quip about Millie's height, it all starts to feel less bracingly modern. Yet there is something impressively sophisticated going on here, too. Liv refuses to pay Tom rent, claiming she's saving up for 'gender realignment' surgery. Tom is sceptical: 'I thought you didn't want a vagina? You said you were scared of a bee flying up in it.' Indeed, Liv is later horrified to discover Simon has started a fundraiser for said surgery. Transaction's brashness doesn't stop it discussing what has traditionally been one of the more delicate – and taboo – elements of the trans experience. Then again, Gray has long had something to say on this topic: her 2022 appearance on Channel 4's Friday Night Live saw her play the piano with her penis, resulting in 1,500 Ofcom complaints. It's part of a refreshing rebellion against the status quo offered by this show, but Transaction remains markedly retro overall: at its core, this is a broad comic caper about some unrealistically stupid people messing about in a supermarket. In later episodes, the narrative sprawls into generic workplace plotlines: crushes, rivalries, minor slapstick disasters. It's a bit dull – not something you could ever say about Liv herself, whose humour is puerile but punchy and unexpected. Instead, I am left wondering what Gray might have made outside the confines of an old-fashioned sitcom on a channel that tries to crowd-please, but rarely manages to make history. Transaction is on ITVX now.
Broadcast Pro
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Disney+ appoints Angela Jain as Head of Content for EMEA
Jain will lead Disney's EMEA content strategy for original productions on Disney+, including commissioning, production management, business affairs and Disney+ originals' branded acquisitions. The Walt Disney Company has announced the appointment of Angela Jain as Head of Content for Disney+ across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Jain, who currently serves as Director of Unscripted, UK, at ITV Studios, will assume her new role in September. This newly created position comes as Disney strengthens its focus on international markets and original local content—an emphasis highlighted during the company's recent earnings call. As part of its broader growth strategy for Disney+, the entertainment giant plans to significantly increase its output of local original productions across Europe over the next four years. In her new role, Jain will oversee Disney+'s original content strategy in the EMEA region, including commissioning, production management, business affairs, and the acquisition of branded originals. She will report directly to Eric Schrier, President of Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy. Commenting on the appointment, Schrier said: 'Angela's appointment to lead original content in EMEA is an essential piece of our ambitious plan to grow our local slate for Disney+. Her expertise and experience will help build on our recent success and elevate our storytelling, bringing customers more local stories that complement our incomparable movies and shows from our global studios.' Jain added: 'It is an irresistible opportunity to join Disney, return to commissioning and work alongside Eric Schrier and his talented team. The growth and vision to expand original productions is invigorating, and I look forward to collaborating with the very best creative talent to produce shows of real excellence and ambition for Disney+. 'I'm grateful to ITV after so many wonderful and successful years. I will miss enormously the most incredible and dedicated production teams, colleagues and friends from whom I have learned so much and to whom I would like to say a heartfelt thank you.' Jain brings with her decades of experience in content creation, commissioning, and channel management. At ITV, she held a range of senior positions, including Controller of Digital Channels and Acquisitions, Managing Director of Lifted Entertainment, and most recently, Director of Unscripted UK, where she led 11 labels responsible for globally successful formats. Earlier in her career, as Controller of ITV2, she commissioned major hits like Love Island, Plebs, The Big Reunion and Timewasters. At E4, she oversaw iconic series such as The Inbetweeners, Misfits and Dead Set, while also acquiring US hits like Glee and The Big Bang Theory. Her early career included freelance roles in independent production across a range of genres.
Western Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Carey Mulligan and cast 'freeze' in Pembrokeshire film shoot
The British actress stars in the upcoming comedy drama, The Ballad Of Wallis Island, which was filmed in coastal Wales during the summer. Director James Griffiths said: "Tom especially was going blue through most of the takes. "I think there was a medic going in, and you too, right (Carey)? We had a medic sort of checking your temperature for the cold stuff. "It was freezing." When asked if it was filmed during the summer, Oscar-nominated actress Mulligan said "it's Wales". The film sees Mulligan, who is married to singer Marcus Mumford, play one half of a disbanded folk band opposite Plebs star Tom Basden as her ex-boyfriend. The movie sees a fan and lottery winner – portrayed by comedian Tim Key – pay for them to reunite and perform a gig on an island, called Wallis. Mr Basden said the rural location, believed to be in and around Pembrokeshire, was "beautiful and it was unpredictable, weather wise, and it was challenging". Mr Key added: "We shot the short film (version) 18 years ago, and we're kind of very eager to get back to Wales. "Feels like it's a big part of the film. Ms Mulligan, 40, also recalled that the filming over a few weeks felt like a "summer camp together". Ms Mulligan, whose mother is from Llandeilo, Wales, also said: "I had such a little baby when we were filming, it's just attached to all these, like, gorgeous memories of my baby being little. "And you guys were all around, and everyone was cuddling her, and we were all sort of together for a bit. "So it's very precious to me." The original short film, The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, was nominated for a 2008 Bafta short film prize, and saw Mr Key and Mr Basden in the main roles. Ms Mulligan has been nominated three times for a best actress Oscar, for projects including coming-of-age hit An Education, revenge thriller Promising Young Woman, and biopic Maestro. The Ballad Of Wallis Island will come to UK cinemas on Friday.
North Wales Live
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Carey Mulligan 'checked by medic' during freezing Welsh summer filming
A medic was called on-set to assess if British actress Carey Mulligan and the cast were not getting too cold while they filmed a movie in coastal Wales during the summer, the director has said. In the upcoming comedy drama, The Ballad Of Wallis Island, Mulligan – who is married to singer Marcus Mumford – plays one half of a disbanded folk band opposite Plebs star Tom Basden as her ex-boyfriend. The movie, which has had critical acclaim in the US, sees a fan and lottery winner – portrayed by comedian Tim Key – pay for them to reunite and perform a gig on an island, called Wallis. At the gala screening at the Ham Yard Hotel, London, on Wednesday, director James Griffiths told the PA news agency: "Tom especially was going blue through most of the takes. 'It's Wales' "I think there was a medic going in, and you too, right (Carey)? We had a medic sort of checking your temperature for the cold stuff. It was freezing." When asked if it was filmed during the summer, Oscar-nominated actress Mulligan said "it's Wales". Basden said the rural location, believed to be in and around Pembrokeshire, was "beautiful and it was unpredictable, weather wise, and it was challenging". Key said: "We shot the short film (version) 18 years ago, and we're kind of very eager to get back to Wales. Feels like it's a big part of the film. Weirdly." Mulligan, 40, also recalled that the filming over a few weeks felt like a "summer camp together". London-born Mulligan, whose mother is originally from Llandeilo, Wales, also said: "I had such a little baby when we were filming, it's just attached to all these, like, gorgeous memories of my baby being little. "And you guys were all around, and everyone was cuddling her, and we were all sort of together for a bit. So it's very precious to me." The original short film, The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, was nominated for a 2008 Bafta short film prize, and saw Key and Basden in the main roles. Mulligan has been nominated three times for a best actress Oscar, for projects including coming-of-age hit An Education, revenge thriller Promising Young Woman, and biopic Maestro. In April 2012, Mulligan married Mumford – lead singer of Mumford & Sons – and the couple now have three children. She has previously appeared on soundtracks released for movies she has been in, including Maestro, Inside Llewyn Davis, about a fictional folk singer, and period drama Far From The Madding Crowd. The Ballad Of Wallis Island will come to UK cinemas on Friday.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doctor sent to Welsh summer set for freezing actors
A medic was called on to the set of a new comedy drama filmed on the Welsh coast to make sure the actors did not suffer from the cold - despite a suggestion it was shot during the summer months. The Ballad of Wallis Island, starring Carey Mulligan, Tim Key and Tom Basden, is thought to have been filmed in and around Pembrokeshire. At a screening in London, director James Griffiths told the PA news agency a medic checked Mulligan and other actors' temperatures due to the cold, saying Basden was "blue". When asked if it was filmed in the summer, Oscar-nominated actor Mulligan, whose mother is from Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, said: "It's Wales." In the film, Mulligan plays on half of a disbanded folk band with her ex-boyfriend, played by Plebs star Basden. They are paid to reunite for a gig on an island called Wallis by a fan and lottery winner, played by comedian Key. At the gala screening at the Ham Yard Hotel, London, Griffiths said, "Tom especially was going blue through most of the takes. "I think there was a medic going in, and you too, right [Mulligan]? We had a medic sort of checking your temperature for the cold stuff. It was freezing." Mulligan added it was special as she just had a baby when they started filming. "It's just attached to all these gorgeous memories of my baby being little. "And you guys were all around, and everyone was cuddling her, and we were all sort of together for a bit. So it's very precious to me." Key said: "We shot the short film (version) 18 years ago, and we're kind of very eager to get back to Wales. Feels like it's a big part of the film. Weirdly." Basden said the filming location was "beautiful" but "unpredictable weather wise". The original short film, The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, was nominated for a 2008 Bafta short film prize, and saw Key and Basden in the main roles. How Carey Mulligan stamped feminist mark on Maestro House of the Dragon filming locations and where to find them Gavin and Stacey filming locations and where to find them
