Sarah Solemani and Kerry Howard interview
Sarah Solemani, who plays Becky, and Kerry Howard, who plays Laura, talk about the final series of Him & Her...
How is this series different from pervious series?
Sarah: It's set at my sister Laura's wedding, and all in real time. We're out of the flat and in a hotel. It's Becky and Steve's idea of hell, dressing up, talking to people you don't know, not being able to see each other. It's the funniest series so far.
Kerry: For the first time we venture outside their safe cocoon which is the flat and see them in the real world - well, I say real world, I really mean Laura's world, which is pretty hideous. All the action happens outside the flat and it focuses on one day throughout the five episodes. Which is Laura and Paul's wedding day. It's still through the point of view of Steve and Becky, but Laura and Paul are certainly at the helm of the story.
What was it like filming outside the flat?
Kerry: It felt like we were making a film to be honest, the tone didn't feel any different - as a writer Stefan has such a strong voice. It just felt like a bigger production, as we had so many fantastic guest actors and hundreds of extras. It was pretty epic.
Sarah: It smells much better.
What has been your favourite thing about playing your character?
Sarah: It's nice to play someone super-chilled and relaxed, a lot of comic characters exist on a nervous tension or anxiety. Becky has a tropical temperament, never exerting herself unless she absolutely has to. A lot of her reactions are in a single word or a look, so the performance has to be very precise - you can't rely on your old tricks of big faces or silly gestures. So it's been a challenge playing her, keeping her real but also present and funny.
Kerry: Laura thinks everyone thinks she is the most amazing, beautiful and funniest person in the UK/world. It's certainly fun letting your ego run wild for five weeks. I love playing her power, even though she is incredibly weak. She is very complex.
Where do you envision your character being in five years' time?
Kerry: Still married to Paul, still ignoring his extramarital activities - she probably has had two more kids. Although she has most likely gone to a sperm bank to get pregnant but told everyone it's Paul's. I imagine she will be queueing up on X Factor and crying to Simon Cowell about how she wants to make a difference for her kids and her husband who is sadly adopted. And it wouldn't surprise me if she was an alcoholic.
Sarah: On the bed. Next to Steve. Toast. 24. Phone turned to silent.
What is your favourite line?
Kerry: There are so many but if I had to pick, this one sums up Laura: "Are you gonna chop up my grapefruit or am I gonna stand here like a lesbian?"
Sarah: "OK Steve."
What has been your favourite episode?
Sarah: I love all the family episodes. When my mum and dad come over, Steve always loses it and Becky finds it funny. They're great to shoot, as Marion Bailey and Ralph Brown are such fun, and they just find the flat and the two of them so disgusting, it's hilarious.
Kerry: My favourite episode has to be the last ep in this series, because Laura basically has a drunken breakdown, she is totally lost and doesn't really have anyone to confide in. So she does what only a sad insecure girl can do, get drunk and try to have sex with as many men as possible. There is a lovely scene with me and Sarah, where you see a glimpse of Laura's vulnerability, it's heart breaking, they almost connect and then Laura shuts it down. Stefan is a very clever man.
What are you going to miss the most from Him & Her?
Kerry: The cast - we have become a family, so the thought of not working with them next year does break my heart a little. I'll miss the laughing, oh my God we had so many laughs. I have to be grateful, this show has given me friends for life, a husband (Russell Tovey set me up on a blind date when we were filming the pilot) and a career. We never knew it was going to be this huge cult hit, I feel very proud to be a part of a wonderful, clever, witty sitcom that is Him & Her.
Sarah: Russell Tovey and Kerry Howard - my two best mates.