Iwan Rheon discusses returning to Vicious as Stuart and Freddie's neighbour Ash...

What's it like filming in front of a live studio audience?

It's quite nerve wracking having an audience there. But I feel so privileged because it's very rare to get to do a studio sitcom, and Gary Janetti is such a master of it.

It's unlike anything else. You have that mix of theatre and television. It's a completely different way of working which is really good fun.

As an actor, I want to do lots of different things that test me, you learn a lot because it's so fast. I've not done much comedy before but I've grown up as a fan of Blackadder and Fawlty Towers, Father Ted and Black Books, so I'm learning so much.

What's it like to work with Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi?

I feel very privileged to get to work with these amazing people and learn from them. They're such gentlemen, and Frances, Marcia and Philip are wonderful too. It's the nicest job I've ever done.

Do they have some good anecdotes to tell?

Oh yeah! It's constant, the people they've worked with... it's beyond comprehension for a young actor. They speak with great fondness about these amazing legends.

Hopefully when I'm their age, if I'm still working, I will be the one telling stories about Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi to the young actor in the corner!

How do you keep a straight face in your scenes with Frances de la Tour?

I don't know! She's hilarious, and she's the Queen of Sitcoms. It's great to work with someone like that, who understands the format so well.

She knows how the audience will respond before they've even got there.

It's quite a fine line because although Violet keeps coming onto Ash, you don't want her to be gratuitous and letchy or it would be uncomfortable to watch. But Frances plays it so brilliantly, she gets it right every time and it's so funny.

What happens to Ash this series?

He's got a new girlfriend, and in typical Ash way he falls in love with her really quickly and is absolutely besotted with her.

You see a real progression for Ash this series. At the end of the first series he started to become a part of the family and come out of his shell. In this series, you see a lot more of that.

He's a bit more outspoken and a bit more involved with them, rather than being the outsider. He goes to Freddie/Stuart for advice, for some reason! They have become his surrogate family.
Ash is not like the rest of his family. He's quite sensitive. Both his parents are in prison. Where he lives now suits him more than where he has come from.

What do you think is the secret behind the success of Vicious?

For all the great comedy that's there, we have lovely touching moments too. It's great to get to do a show that shows the sensitive and emotional side of your character in the middle of quite a wacky comedy.