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Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danny Dyer reunites with EastEnders icon as he returns to Sky show
He's miles away from Albert Square and all the EastEnders drama, but Danny Dyer was still thrilled to be reunited with one of his former co-stars while filming for Mr Bigstuff. Nudity, fights and secret kisses – Danny Dyer doesn't hold back in the second series of Mr Bigstuff. He even bumped into one of his former co-stars in EastEnders. Danny Dyer 's appearance in the first season has already earned him the 2025 TV Bafta for Male Performance in a Comedy Programme. Now, the show returns with Danny and creator Ryan Sampson as chalk-and-cheese brothers Lee and Glen – two blokes bound by blood but tested by secrets and deep-rooted dysfunction. The emotions may be deep, but Mr Bigstuff doesn't forget its slapstick roots. The stunts are back, and Danny has gone full throttle. 'It's very physical. It was a whole day of me having a tear-up,' he says, 'I don't mind that stuff, but it's getting a bit more difficult as I get older.' One brawl sees Lee square up to members of a working men's club – and even Ryan couldn't believe what he was seeing. 'Danny was very impressive, he's like Errol Flynn when he gets going,' he says, 'I've never seen anybody do that before. It's really technical and knackering.' Alongside the bruises and banter are a few familiar faces, with Taskmaster 's Fatiha El-Ghorri popping up again as Aysha, as well as EastEnders stars Alan Ford, who played Stevie Mitchell, and Linda Henry, aka Shirley Carter. 'I love Linda,' says Danny, who starred as Shirley's son Mick in the BBC soap. 'I wanted more scenes with her.' Both actors were inspired by their own lives to nail the chaotic relationship. 'They're at each other's throats, aren't they?' says Ryan, 39. 'I have siblings, and we sometimes tear strips off each other.' Danny's real-life brother Tony provided some inspiration for Glen and his character Lee. 'We're only 18 months apart but we're so different, a little bit like Lee and Glen. My brother hated football when he was a kid. His best friend was a girl and he loved playing with Barbies,' Danny, 47, recalls. 'He was the bane of my life because being in an East London school, he was being bullied for it and I was fighting his battles a lot. "He's a straight man, but he wanted to play with dolls. There's nothing wrong with that at all.' And then there were the games they played together. 'We used to play a game called Judo Mermaid. He was the mermaid so he would put my mum's tights on his head and I was Judo. I'd turn up, a bit like Columbo, with a celery stick in my mouth, and solve crimes.' But in Mr Bigstuff the laughs stop for Glen when his fiancée Kirsty – played by Harriet Webb – starts behaving strangely. She's sitting on a secret that could destroy everything. As fans will remember, Kirsty shared a stolen kiss with Lee at the end of series one. And she's kept it to herself since. But in real life, Harriet admits she isn't to be trusted with her own secrets. 'I'm very much an over-sharer,' she admits, 'I once lied about how many sausages I'd eaten. Then immediately, after telling the lie, I revealed the truth.' When a mystery blackmailer appears and threatens to spill the beans, silence becomes critical for her relationship with Glen. 'Throughout series one, they told each other, 'No more secrets,'' Harriet says. 'They made a pact, especially after he found out about Kirsty's shoplifting. So to have another secret, although I'm not the only one, is a lot.' Series two doesn't just revolve around Kirsty's moral dilemmas. Lee and Glen go digging into their father's past, only for Lee to stumble on something that could shatter their sense of identity. Not all scenes were fun for Harriet. She recalls one tough day of filming in Canvey Island, Essex. 'There was one day dedicated to a scene in episode five and Ryan told me, 'I can't wait for this,'' Harriet says. 'And I was like, 'It's going to be hell, I'm going to have to be on the verge of tears for an entire day.' That was my biggest challenge this season.' For Ryan, the toughest scenes were the romantic ones. As a proud gay man, filming intimate moments with Harriet took some getting used to. 'I've written a lot of sex scenes and kissing,'' he says, 'But actually doing it… There was one moment Kirsty was like, 'I think you grab my boob now.' That might only be the second boob I've grabbed.' Still, the messy love triangle, the family drama and the emotional gut punches all come wrapped in the off-beat humour that made Mr Bigstuff a surprise hit. And its second series goes bigger and bolder. As for a third? The cast are all on board, though Ryan says he hasn't got it nailed down yet. 'I'm waiting to see what the viewers think,' he says. 'But season two ends on the biggest plot twist I could think of. That's the jumping off point for series three. I already have a few ideas.'
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Stephen Graham set to team up with huge TV actor for Adolescence-style series
The Liverpool-born star is in talks with the household name to make a hard-hitting drama Danny Dyer and Stephen Graham are set to work on a gritty new drama to rival hit Netflix series Adolescence. The powerhouse pair are putting their heads together for a show based on issues affecting society today, we can reveal. 'It's a gritty new drama,' says an insider. 'They are currently thrashing out what they want to do. It'll be in the vein of Adolescence. Something unflinching and moving.' Adolescence, co-created and written by This Is England favourite Stephen, has broken records and been the most watched series of the year. It explores misogyny among teenage boys and sparked conversation about online safety, even being discussed in Parliament. Rivals star Danny, 47, and Stephen, 51, last worked on 2009 film Doghouse, a British slapstick horror, together and have stayed good pals. The source said they're planning a double date with their wives, Jo Dyer and Hannah Walters. Danny previously called on Stephen to get him involved in one of his projects. Praising his hit Netflix series, Danny said: 'It's such an important subject but the fact they're doing it one take. As an actor and being part of that world I find it f****** incredible. So, Steve [Graham], you've got to roll me into something. I want a bit of this!' Former EastEnders star Danny described his longtime pal as a 'brilliant man, brilliant actor, kind soul'. Former EastEnders star Danny picked up his first TV Bafta award in May for his part in Sky's Mr Bigstuff. He's been enjoying a purple patch in his career, recently filming the second series of Rivals, based on Jilly Cooper's racy novels. Four-part series Adolescence was the brainchild of Stephen and writer Jack Thorne. It sees Liverpool-born Stephen as father Eddie Miller, who watches armed police burst into his home to arrest his 13-year-old son Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper. It turned him into an overnight star. It made history as the first streaming show to top the UK most-watched charts, with 66.3 million views in two weeks. It also went to number one in 71 countries around the world, including the US, Canada, Germany, France and Australia. It has been nominated for 13 awards at the Emmys. It was created by Stephen and Hannah's company, Matriarch Productions and is also behind Disney series A Thousand Blows When the couple set up it they were determined the company would embody the working-class values they grew up with. They even paid for the rent on the production team 'because they wouldn't have been able to afford it'. Stephen shared a rare insight into his relationship with his wife Hannah Walters in an interview with GQ, revealing that she reads scripts first for him because he is dyslexic, stating they have a 'great little partnership'. 'She's me best mate for one,' he said when I ask about their relationship. 'She's funny as f***. I find her dead saucy. She's amazing. She's the light of my life. Do you know what I mean? We're a great little partnership. It really works.'
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Axed ITV star in talks for Strictly 2025 after catching bosses' eyes in Celebrity Big Brother stint
Advertisement AN axed ITV star is being lined up for Strictly Come Dancing after impressing TV bosses with her comeback stint on Celebrity Big Brother. Advertisement The popular TV presenter has been in the spotlight for 20 years but has now found herself back at the forefront after being binned off from her last job. Advertisement 6 Strictly Come Dancing bosses are eyeing up Celebrity Big Brother star Angellica Bell Credit: Rex Advertisement 6 The star is having a TV revival after being dumped from The Martin Lewis Money Show 6 Now, BBC bosses are considering her for this year's dancing contest Credit: Getty Advertisement Angellica Bell found herself without any TV work after being unexpectedly dumped from The Martin Lewis Money Show in 2023. Advertisement However, she was handed a huge lifeline when she was chosen to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house in April of this year. Advertisement Having won over fans with her bubbly personality, she has now caught the eye of BBC bosses - who are considering offering her a place on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. A source told The Sun: 'Angellica has been very vocal about her desire to be on Strictly. Advertisement Read More on Angellica Bell Advertisement 'Her confidence was massively knocked by the whole Martin Lewis drama but she's had a new lease of life since doing Celebrity Big Brother. She wants to grab every opportunity and has no qualms about making known what she wants. Advertisement 'She's hugely energetic and will throw herself into training. Advertisement "Strictly bosses think she'll be a great fit.' Advertisement Most read in TV The Sun has contacted representatives for Strictly Come Dancing and Angellica Bell for comment. Advertisement During her time in the house, Angellica broke down in tears when discussing her axing from Martin Lewis' show and being sidelined from major TV shows. Advertisement CBB's Angellica Bell FINALLY breaks silence on Martin Lewis feud - saying 'it took me a long time to get over that' After admitting that Celebrity Big Brother had offered her a new lease of life, she reflected on her recent TV struggles. Advertisement Speaking Advertisement "Before I came in here, I was a little bit scared. "The press were asking if I'd talk about the Martin Lewis show and stuff. Advertisement "It took me a long time to get over that. Advertisement "I'm so grateful to all the audience that messaged me about it and also to other celebrities who contacted me and stuff. Advertisement 6 Angellica broke down in tears on CBB discussing her TV sacking Credit: ITV 6 The move left her sidelined from TV until her CBB stint Credit: Handout Advertisement "It was those messages and support that got me through. Advertisement "That's why I wanted to come on the show to tap into my old self. Advertisement "It has taken a long, long time." The 49-year-old was " " from in 2023. Angellica joined the show in 2017 and helped the programme receive a nomination for a TV Bafta . Since appearing on CBB this year, the BBC have also worked with Angellica by handing her a guest hosting slot on The One Show within days of her exit from Britain's most famous house. Advertisement 6 She's now eyeing up a second huge show for the year Credit: Rex Advertisement
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Killing Eve star says playing 'controlling' mother in new film was 'easier'
Renowned Irish actress Fiona Shaw stars in Hot Milk, an adaptation of Deborah Levy's 2016 novel, as a mother with a mysterious illness, who is taken to a seaside Spanish town in search of a cure The distinguished Irish actress and TV Bafta laureate, Fiona Shaw, speaks about her immersion in her latest character, Rose, a mother beleaguered by an enigmatic illness, in the movie adaptation of Deborah Levy 's critically acclaimed 2016 novel 'Hot Milk'. Against the vivid setting of a sun-drenched Spanish summer, the plot unfolds as Rose and her daughter Sofia, portrayed by 'Sex Education' star Emma Mackey, journey to Almeria's picturesque seaside town seeking healing from a quirky local remedy man. Rose's life is dominated by an immobilising ailment, confining her to a wheelchair and riddled with unrelenting pain, rendering her utterly reliant on Sofia for even the simplest tasks such as venturing outside or fetching a drink. A growing sense of exasperation seeps into Sofia's character who pins her hopes on the exotic clinic to rejuvenate her mum's vigour, thus liberating her own aspirations for autonomy and independence. Shaw, celebrated for her portrayal of Carolyn Martens in the hit series 'Killing Eve', lauded her youthful co-star Emma Mackey, age 29, for crafting their characters' poignant relationship amidst strenuous circumstances. "I had the easier job – it's much easier to play the selfish person," Fiona Shaw candidly admits. "Emma had to decide, in each scene, how she would cope with her mother's behaviour – but the mother just continues on. She isn't thinking about the effects, and that's the problem," Shaw adds. She says: "They're not two people at loggerheads. I don't think the mother is at odds at all. She adores her daughter, wishes she wouldn't visit her father, and wants her to focus on her studies. "She can't see that she's the reason none of those things can happen properly. And that blindness is a nightmare for the other person – but Emma had to carry that. We would laugh about it, but she had to play the scenes. I just had to play Rose – she had to play the reception." As Sofia's story unfolds, her fascination with the adventurous Ingrid, portrayed by Phantom Thread star Vicky Krieps, leads her to break free from her mother's overbearing influence. Yet, as Sofia steps into her own, her mother's inability to cope with this change brings to light unsettling truths about Rose's condition. In her preparation for the role, Shaw delved into the complexities of psychosomatic disorders, where mental stress manifests physically, and consulted individuals who deal with such conditions. "We spoke to people with the syndrome – this tendency to not have any physiological reason why you can't walk, but you can't walk," Shaw shared. "This syndrome comes with pain and with a twitch. I really concentrated on trying to get the stuckness of the person – and I was helped a lot by using a wheelchair." The film Hot Milk marks Rebecca Lenkiewicz's first venture as a director at 57, and she fondly referred to Shaw and Mackey as "an inseparable couple" during filming. Renowned screenwriter Lenkiewicz, known for hits like Ida and Disobedience, described taking the reins as director for such a woman-centric narrative as "one of the most incredible experiences" of her life. The eagerly anticipated 'Hot Milk' hits UK and Ireland cinemas on Friday, July 4.
Irish Examiner
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Fiona Shaw: ‘It's much easier to play the selfish person'
'I had the easier job – it's much easier to play the selfish person,' reflects Irish actress Fiona Shaw. The 66-year-old TV Bafta winner stars as Rose, a mother with a mysterious illness, in Hot Milk, an adaptation of Deborah Levy's 2016 novel. Set against the scorching backdrop of a Spanish summer, the film follows Rose and her daughter Sofia, played by Sex Education's Emma Mackey, as they travel to the coastal town of Almeria in search of a cure from a local healer. Using a wheelchair and suffering from chronic pain, Rose is entirely dependent on Sofia – whether it's to leave the house or simply fetch a glass of water. An increasingly frustrated Sofia hopes the clinic will restore her mother's mobility and, in turn, grant her the freedom and independence she desperately craves. Shaw, who won a TV Bafta for her role as Carolyn Martens in Killing Eve, praised her 29-year-old co-star for helping shape the emotionally charged dynamic between the two women. Emma Mackey as Sofia and Fiona Shaw as Rose in Hot Milk. Picture: MUBI 'Emma had to decide, in each scene, how she would cope with her mother's behaviour – but the mother just continues on. She isn't thinking about the effects, and that's the problem,' Shaw explained. 'They're not two people at loggerheads. I don't think the mother is at odds at all. She adores her daughter, wishes she wouldn't visit her father, and wants her to focus on her studies. 'She can't see that she's the reason none of those things can happen properly. And that blindness is a nightmare for the other person – but Emma had to carry that. 'We would laugh about it, but she had to play the scenes. I just had to play Rose – she had to play the reception.' As the tension between mother and daughter intensifies, Sofia becomes enamoured with free-spirited traveller Ingrid, played by Phantom Thread's Vicky Krieps, who helps her shed her inhibitions and loosen the grip her mother has on her life. But as Sofia embraces her newfound independence, it becomes increasingly intolerable for her controlling mother – raising uncomfortable questions about the true nature of Rose's illness. Vicky Krieps as Ingrid and Emma Mackey as Sofia. Picture: MUBI To prepare for the role, Shaw researched psychosomatic disorder, a condition in which psychological distress manifests as physical symptoms, and spoke with people living with similar experiences. 'We spoke to people with the syndrome – this tendency to not have any physiological reason why you can't walk, but you can't walk,' she said. 'This syndrome comes with pain and with a twitch. I really concentrated on trying to get the stuckness of the person – and I was helped a lot by using a wheelchair.' Hot Milk marks the directorial debut of Rebecca Lenkiewicz, 57, who described Shaw and Mackey as 'an inseparable couple' on set. 'Fiona stayed in the wheelchair the whole time on set, and Emma would wheel her everywhere,' said Plymouth-born Lenkiewicz. 'They were like a couple – Emma would have to get over stones and sometimes was crying for help. It was very beautiful and touching watching them together.' Lenkiewicz, who previously wrote acclaimed films such as Ida and Disobedience, called making her directorial debut with such a female-centred story 'one of the most incredible experiences' of her life. 'I had yearned for years, really, to be with a film from start to finish, rather than just write it and deliver it. It was wonderful,' she said. Director Rebecca Lenkiewicz. Picture: MUBI While Levy's novel is set in Almería, southern Spain, the cast and crew filmed in Greece for cost reasons – a decision Lenkiewicz said ultimately enhanced the film's tone. 'Greece has gifts. It's so rugged and raw. We didn't want something picture-postcard,' she explained. 'We wanted something quite primal, and we had fantastic location scouts who went above and beyond to find different environments. 'The book gives you wonderful references – like a cement factory next to a café next to the sea – so you're hunting out these contrasting textures and landscapes. 'The sea was incredible, and the wind was amazing. There were lots of gifts for free.' She also credited her creative team, including cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt and production designer Andrey Ponkratov, for shaping the film's distinctive aesthetic. 'Christopher just read the light and the tone so intuitively, and Andrey created these beautiful shadows – both within the apartment and in the world outside it,' she added. Shaw described the filming experience as 'a very, very lovely time' – though not without its challenges. 'There was a permanent sense of improvisation, because we were living in that place,' she said. 'It wasn't full of laughs, because the pressure of getting so much of the film made meant that people's days were long.' Emma Mackey as Sofia. Picture: MUBI She also praised Lenkiewicz for her careful handling of Rose's ambiguous disability on screen. 'I couldn't have done this without Rebecca,' she said. 'You really need to be in dialogue with a director for something like that, because Rose – who appears to be unable to walk – does, at times, stand. And that's ultimately the choice of the director or the editor. 'In the book, it happens earlier, but in the film, it's quite late that we actually see her do the thing she says she can't do.' The film ends on a cliffhanger, leaving audiences to interpret Rose and Sofia's fate for themselves – a choice Shaw embraces. 'I've seen the film a few times, and I've had contrary thoughts each time – and I think that's really good,' she said. 'It's an ambiguous thing. And really, I think art is ambiguous. That's the point of it.' Hot Milk opens in cinemas in Ireland on Friday, July 4. Read More Summer catch-up: Best films of the year so far and where to watch them
