With crime boss The Dean behind bars, The Outlaws are moving on with their lives - until one of their own returns with a deadly secret, hurling them back into mortal danger.
The Outlaws return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursday 30 May.
mark@ijpr.co.uk
Interview with Stephen Merchant
(Greg), Creator, Executive Producer & Showrunner
Can you introduce us to The Outlaws?
In the first two series of The Outlaws we met a group of offenders who had committed various crimes, and who were doing community service to pay back for their crimes. During that, they became embroiled in a larger crime that was going on behind the scenes.
The Outlaws found a big bag of money that embroiled them with a criminal drug lord from London. After they’ve stolen the money, they have to pay him back, and so they themselves become drug dealers. There are laughs, there are thrills, there’s tension, there are interpersonal relationships, and this third series picks up their adventures from there.
What can audiences expect from series three of The Outlaws?
Well, the gang is back, and the problems they thought they’d buried become unburied!
What we tried to do with each series was to dial up the tension, the drama, and hopefully the humour. In this instance, in the new series, the tension and the drama that the characters face is turned right up.
Also, we get to continue to explore these characters. I love spending time with them, writing them, seeing the actors bring them to life. So, we get to explore their private lives and how that intersects with this bigger crime story brewing around them.
Can you describe your character, Greg, and his role within The Outlaws?
I play Greg, who is a socially awkward person, and quite a lonely soul. He’s a lawyer who is not particularly good at his job, or at life generally. He’s sort of the legal advisor for the gang of Outlaws.
He has formed an unlikely friendship with Lady Gabby [Eleanor Tomlinson], who is an aristocratic social media influencer. It’s a very sweet and funny relationship. In this new series, they’re roommates, and as her story develops and his story develops, their friendship is challenged by what is going on.
Also, Greg found love at the end of the last series, so the question is will that romance survive given the new pressures and tensions he faces?
The premise of The Outlaws allows for some very unlikely friendships, doesn’t it?
Part of the fun of the show is creating these unlikely friendships amongst all the characters. We’ve got John [Darren Boyd] and Myrna [Clare Perkins], one is a right-wing loudmouth, the other is a left- wing activist. In the first series they were very much polar opposites, and now they’ve become firm friends, even if they squabble a lot over things. They’ve bridged the divide that was between them.
That was always part of the impetus of the series, if you could take people that have very different backgrounds, that come from different walks of life, have different viewpoints, and see if they could find any common ground.
That's what we’ve tried to do with all of the characters. Similarly in the case of my character Greg, and Gabby, they come from very different walks of life, they lead very different lives, but they found a kinship that was unexpected. The idea of that unlikely friendship is very much at the core of The Outlaws.
What is the toughest challenge Greg faces this series?
Among the various challenges my character faces this series, the chief one is him having to step up as a lawyer. You finally see him in court, having to do what lawyers do. He’s always been quite ineffectual; he's always lacked confidence and self-esteem. So, he’s got to stand up in front of a judge, and try to do his job.
What is it like to make The Outlaws?
One of the great things about filming The Outlaws is the community spirit, it’s like a family that moves around the town. It’s just a real pleasure to be in the city I was born in. The weather was good, and it’s just the kind of lovely experience of making the show I dreamed of. The dream was always to come back to my hometown, and see people I knew, my family, introduce actors who hadn’t worked here before to the town and make that feel part of the show.
How important was it for you to film in Bristol?
I was born and raised in Bristol. The show is very much a love letter to Bristol. I love the fact we get to feature different pockets of the city, and in the instance of series three, we are in a city farm. I love showcasing the city. It's very visual, it's full of street art, and it's very hilly which adds interesting depths to the show. Also, the people of Bristol are very welcoming to us. I like the idea of making it another character in the show. In this show it gets to play itself.
What was it like in the writers’ room for series three?
It was really fun, because the characters are established, the world of The Outlaws has been established, you don’t have to explain the show to the audience, you can just jump straight in.
So then it becomes about what is a fun thing to do with these characters. I remember getting writing advice early on, which is that you take a group of characters, chase them up a tree, and then you throw rocks at them. That’s the fun of the writers’ room, how are we going to chase them up a tree and what sort of rocks are we going to throw at them?
There’s quite an elaborate crime plot in The Outlaws. I think when you watch it, you’ll think it isn't that complicated, but it's actually incredibly complicated to construct. You’ve got 7-8 main characters, you’re trying to intersect them and interlink all their stories, and then pay it off in a very satisfying way. So as soon as you introduce a crime thriller plot it becomes very technical. How do we get that person there? How did they get that piece of information? It becomes a real jigsaw, which is both challenging but also stimulating. That the fun of writing really, the joy of solving the puzzle.
Was there any improvisation on set?
I, as a writer, am never precious with the stuff we’ve written. I always think the script is a jumping off point. If people can improve it, add a line here or there, riff through a scene that makes it better, funnier, more dramatic, then I’m very open to that. Because of the tightly knitted story we can’t improvise the whole thing, but we always welcome improv and we’ve got such a great cast, an amazing team of actors, that they’re always bringing something to it. I always like the idea that the actors can make the characters their own and give them their own voice. I like it, I'm not too dictatorial about that stuff.
What one thing would you outlaw?
As far as I’m concerned, the main thing that should be outlawed is eating in cinemas. I don’t know why we encourage this. I don't know why food is served in cinemas. I’ve made films, spent a lot of time getting the sound right, you go to see it in the cinema, people are chomping away through popcorn, they’re eating nachos, the noisiest food known to man. You don’t get this with other art forms, you don’t go to a piano recital, and someone is frying up bacon at the side of the stage. Eat before you come out, people!
Interview with Gamba Cole
(Ben)
Who is your character and what is his role in the show?
My character, Ben, is the bouncer of a nightclub and the sole carer of his younger sister, who wants to have a better life than him, to have better choices. Ben felt like he had to give up his adolescence to make sure she’s okay and she did well. He’s an overall nice guy, loyal, happy. A fun guy.
In terms of his role within the series, Ben first started doing community service because he was paying a debt to somebody. He was not meant to do community service for committing a crime, he’s impersonating someone else. We found out later on who that was and what he’s doing it for. He basically stumbled upon some money and hid it in the community service building. And from there, that’s how the other Outlaws started to get involved, figuring out what to do with the money. We then later find out that it belongs to a drug lord, and he’s looking for his money back!
What can audiences expect to see in series three?
In series three, the stakes are even higher! What’s so good about this series, is that everyone who's watched the first two series already knows the characters, so we get straight into the action. There’s a lot of dramatic moments, a lot of sad moments, and a lot of funny moments, of course. It’s a journey for all of us as a collective and individuals.
What are the toughest challenges Ben faces this series?
Without giving too much away, he’s really embroiled in a love triangle where his heart and his head are in two different places, and he’s really got to figure out what’s best for himself and his future. The biggest challenge for him is figuring out who his future is going to be with.
Are there any particular scenes you enjoyed filming?
There’s a scene I filmed in Weston- super-Mare, on rollerblades, which was my favourite scene to film, because I can’t actually roller-skate! And luckily my character couldn’t either. So, it wasn't a case of me acting, it was me trying to stay alive! That was quite enjoyable.
I also always enjoy the scenes when we’re all together, the Outlaws, and we get to bounce off each other and create really tense and funny moments.
Are there any locations you filmed on this series?
I love anytime that we’re in Bristol. We really wanted to make sure we showcased Bristol in every light. I think we’ve done a good job of that. When people approach me when I’m out and about, they talk about how much they love the show, and they always mention the roads that they recognise, the buildings they recognise, the art on the walls that they love. I think that’s really nice, because we wanted to make sure that the whole of Bristol felt a part of this story, it didn’t belong to the Outlaws, it belongs to Bristol.
What is it like filming in Bristol?
It’s amazing to film the series in Bristol, especially for me personally, having being born here, and having family here. It’s like a full circle moment for me, I’m grateful to be there. I love when we’re filming in places and areas that I grew up in. It’s really nice, and it always feels good to be back.
Can you talk about Ben and Rani’s relationship and how it develops?
At the end of series two, the way we left that relationship was Rani leaving Ben on the train. And they hadn’t spoken since. Rani has gone off and lived her life, Ben has continued the dream he had of setting up his food shack. There literally hasn't been any communication between them. So in series three, as they connect again, as a character, you go through all of those emotions, of things you never said, that you wish you had, trying to figure out why, trying to get closure, of Ben trying to figure out how he feels. All of those important emotions take place in this new series.
Interview with Eleanor Tomlinson
(Gabby)
Can you introduce us to The Outlaws?
I play Lady Gabriella Penrose-Howe. The Outlaws is about a group of convicts doing community service. In series one, Gabby has been caught drink driving, and probably in the possession of some kind of drug as well. It’s an unlikely bunch coming together. Now, in the third series, the story unfolds to reveal a crime scene at the heart of it. It’s very funny and it’s very heart-warming.
How would you describe Lady Gabriella?
Fabulous fashion! Personality-wise, she’s highly strung and overemotional. She is very quick to fall in love…
Where do we find your character in this new series?
In series three Gabby has finished her community service, she’s living the high life, she’s sober, she’s going to AA meetings. She’s decided that she wants to have a baby, and this series for her is mainly about how that happens. She’s got a new girlfriend, but is she the one she wants to have a baby with? And who’s going to be the father?
What about The Outlaws?
Well, obviously the Outlaws can’t go anywhere without running into some sort of trouble, and this series they’re all trying to solve a murder, and also get the Dean behind bars so he can stop threatening them all. Gabby is always the one who finds out about it last. But in she comes, all guns blazing. The Outlaws are back together!
What is the toughest challenge Gabby faces this season?
I think it’s her having a baby and finding the right person to do that with. I wonder who it could be? And also her relationship with her father. She’s now sober, she’s trying to live a much more positive and healthy life. But at the same time she also has this uncontrollable rage and she has to keep that under wraps.
Do you have a favourite line from season 3? It can be yours or another characters.
My favourite line is from Stephen’s character, Greg, when he talks about his sperm being like vanilla essence, in that it’s so strong you only need a bit of it. Filming that scene with him was hilarious, I can’t wait to see the blooper reel because we couldn’t stop laughing. It was a tough day getting through that scene.
Do you have a particular scene that has been your favourite to film?
I think all of my scenes with Stephen. We know each other so well now. It’s been really fun creating these characters and their journey together. Gabby has been living with Greg for sometime now and they’re the best of friends. Though they’re very unlikely friends as well.
How has Gabby and Greg’s friendship evolved over the three seasons?
Greg made Gabby realise that all of the friends she had around her were there because of her celebrity status and not because of her friendship. He is possibly one of the only friends that actually stands by her, and he eventually allows her to move in with him and somewhat take over his apartment. Which we see in this new series. I guess their progression is this really lovely arc of getting to know each other and coming from very different worlds.
What have been some of your favourite locations to film on?
I think Greg’s flat is my favourite. In series three we really see how Gabby has completely taken over his flat. There are false nails everywhere and massively garish art. Greg’s flat has been fully Gabby’d, which is great.
What has it been like acting with your castmates again this series?
It’s been so nice to have everybody back together again. I think it’s been two years between series two and three, but it’s just amazing that the show was so popular and we’ve all come back together. Like I said, Stephen has just been a real treat and the same with Jess Gunning (Diane), I just adore them, it’s been fantastic.
What was it like filming series one and two simultaneously?
It was tough because we were battling covid at the time. It was just very hard for everybody, for the cast, for the crew. Everyone had to wear masks. And just in general, not being able to have a life outside of work. It was an amazing experience but at the same time very challenging.
What themes are present in series three of The Outlaws?
I guess friendship is the main theme, certainly for Gabby. We see that in her relationship with Greg. And I guess, right from wrong. The way she stands up to her father, eventually, and fights for what she deserves. She’s not going to take any of his nonsense which I love.
Interview with Darren Boyd
(John)
Can you introduce The Outlaws and what the series is about?
The Outlaws from the outset is probably best described as an ensemble piece, that’s the story of a very separate cross section of society that come together for community service.
When we first meet them they’re almost stereotypical in our perception of them. Very quickly we discover not only that every character and every person we meet has their own very specific backstory that’s led them to be how they are when we first meet them, but also how their commonalities soon overcome their difference, or overtake their difference. They find themselves certainly at this stage and later on in the series, much more a familial group and much more dependent on one another in ways that that could never have imagined.
Can you recap series one and two?
In series one it’s very much their differences, they’re a group who have nothing in common, they come from all different walks of life, all different backgrounds, and we are presented with this cross-section of society brought together through community service. Through the series, and a series of problems they face, that forces them to work together and really start to lean into each other and depend on each other, we see how their commonalities really replace these differences. So by the time series two finishes they’ve almost become a family, with a shared problem that they can’t resolve without each other. It’s a really nice comment on that it’s not our differences but our similarities that define us.
Can you describe your character, John?
I play John Halloran, or John Junior as he’s often referred to. Son of an Irish Catholic. For me, I think John is essentially someone who walked through life picking fights with people simply because he’s never fully resolved the big fight or conflict within himself. By that I think he’s a middle-aged man that just wants a hug from his dad. I feel that’s a very identifiable, relatable character flaw, wound, situation. To live your life seeking approval from the person or people that mean the most to you and being denied that. In fact, being actively put down by most people in your life created a certain type of front-footed aggression and defensiveness.
When we first meet John, he is a stereotypical bully and antagonist. But I think as each character's stories are opened up and we see why they are who they are, we’ll understand why, and as the series progresses, they do depend on each other more, they become more like family than strangers. We see more balanced individuals, but they'll always be intrinsically who they are. It’s just nice to see characters bringing out the best in each other, as well as all the shared conflict and problems they face.
What is the toughest challenges your character faces this season?
The toughest thing John faces this season is probably staying true to his new found efforts with regard to inner peace. He’s made some small steps to fix that thing that needs fixing, and whether he succeeds or fails we’ll see. His biggest challenge is staying on the rails and walking the path he’s currently trying to walk.
Is improvisation quite common on set?
Stephen is not only very good at improvisation, he advocates it at times when it’s appropriate. The scripts walk such a brilliant line between leaning into the comedy and then leaning into the jeopardy and genuinely high stakes. If it were too much one rather than the other, it would lessen the audience investment and the danger that these characters do genuinely face at any given moment. We always want the audience to be invested in that and have a level of care over the characters and the story. If it becomes too comedic for comedic sake, we lose that. I think the scripts and the storylines are brilliantly woven and they’ve knit those things together.
What we’ll often do when we shoot scenes is shoot it as written and if everyone’s happy we might do something to loosen things up. If someone has thought of something, it’s always very welcome to be throw in. It’s an extension of the joy of working in such an ensemble manner. It extends beyond script and beyond scenes and we all collectively share thoughts and ideas and have these great moments of collaboration.
Do you film on a farm this series?
Yes. We’re surrounded by goats and pigs, and I myself made friends with a little family of goats and I didn’t want to leave! I feel like we’ve created something quite special, I make it my mission every morning to go and say hi. I didn’t know goats were as affectionate as they seem to be and I love them.
What has it been like reuniting with your castmates for a third series?
To get the chance to come back and revisit this world, and of course the actors, my Outlaws family, has just been a treat. I think it’s evermore sweet when it's not expected or guaranteed. I think you appreciate it more. Actors wouldn’t always talk about how much they love everybody and how we’re all a family and everyone gets on, but it’s there with us. I respect everyone as people but also as actors. There is some extraordinary work going on, being in the middle of it, and being able to sit back and watch it, is a privilege.
Where do we find John and his family in series three?
At the very start of The Outlaws, John is very much living in a place of anger and injustice, and his reasons for being in the tabard and brought into community service being a particularly aggressive, quite violent crime that he’s committed. Although he wouldn’t see it as a crime, and that place of anger has made him very front-footed and quite an antagonist. I think he comes across in the beginning as quite a bully. In terms of his family, he has fallen into the trap of taking things for granted and he’s not paying the right amount of attention where it’s deserved. I think he’s caught up in his own inner turmoil.
As he softens throughout the series, and as he learns and grows and adapts and begins to depend on his new family, that naturally parleys into his questionable relationship with his wife. By questionable, I mean they’re not on very solid ground. He does try and make amends, he does try to take steps towards repair, but ultimately we’ll have to wait and see whether he succeeds or not.
Could you talk about Myrna and John's unlikely friendship?
I love Myrna and John's friendship, or Myrns as John has nicknamed her. While they’re all in an ensemble, it’s this natural pairing off within that group. You have the wonderful Greg and Gabby friendship, which is a beautiful thing. You have Rani and Ben’s relationship, which is something altogether deeper. Then you have John and Myrna, who pair off, and are, among other things, the odd couple. When we first meet the characters in series one, John is the middle-aged white man, Tory advocate, angry, and Myrna is the activist, but also dealing with her own anger. To put these two people together at the beginning was a really interesting conversation to have.
As we move on through the series, those barriers come down and the characters remain less locked in their own created shell. As they see each other and see beyond the surface, we realise there are commonalities where we didn’t expect them. Those commonalities become friendships and we become allies. Not only do John and Mryna get to do some great fun stuff in terms of tasks that are asked of them, but they also start to love each other a little bit and really respect and lean into each other a bit. Where the angry exchanges were once commonplace, now it feels like banter, like there’s something a little warmer behind it. That's really lovely to see and feel that,
What themes are present in series three?
The themes in series three are a really natural and fun progression from what we saw in the first two series. The overall theme is the conversation about how our collective similarities will always win out over our differences. By leaning into that and being less obsessed about what separates us, because that’s a very lonely world view, to constantly be butting up against that. It’s a lonely, draining, exhausting existence, I feel like we see that more and more. The conversation about listening more, and screaming less, is a really valid one in society today, and with the constant social media stances and the aggression that’s behind opinion. Rather than it being an opinion that’s up for discussion, it's an opinion that must be defended at all costs. I don’t really know how we got there or why, and I don’t see it resolving anytime soon.
So, to have those conversations and to do so through work like this, which is on the surface a really fun caper. It’s a romp, it’s fun, it’s got lots of things going on, but there is that deeper theme. Personally, I’ve loved that ongoing conversation since the beginning.
Interview with Clare Perkins
(Myrna)
Can you recap The Outlaws?
Outlaws is about six people doing community service, along with Diane, their Supervisor. They’re all very different. Different ages, from all different walks of life. You might want to call them stereotypes, but in stereotypes there is always a truth. Their lives start to merge, they find themselves in a situation and the story goes from there.
We all started community service and then we were all dragged into a story which involved everybody’s ideals being compromised. Breaking the law again. Being forced into situations where all the characters have to make choices that weren’t ideal. We also had to come together as a team, which made some unlikely friendships emerge, and it kind of turned into a team building exercise involving crime, drugs and murder.
Who is Myrna?
Myrna is an older single woman. She’s lived life on her own terms mostly. She’s brave, outspoken, she’s woke and proud of it. She’s a fighter for justice and equality and she’s got a very big heart but that’s not necessarily how she would describe herself. She’s doing community service for her activist stuff. She’s forthright, a bit angry, but cares a great deal about the world and the people in it.
Given the evolution of Myrna over the three series, what advice would series three Myrna give to your character at the beginning of series one?
I think probably to open her heart, and that it’s okay to be vulnerable. And don’t judge a book by the cover.
What is the toughest challenge Myrna faces this season?
Love. Romantic love. That’s the challenge!
What were some of your favourite scenes to film?
Anything with Darren (Boyd), when it’s John and Myrna. We had a lot of fun filming the scenes in the Dean’s house.
What was it like reuniting with your castmates this series?
Pure fun. It was really good to come back. While it’s always nice to get a new gig, it’s nice to get a returning gig and be like, ‘I can’t wait to see these people again’.
What are the themes from series three?
Friendship, loyalty…and murder.
How has Myrna and John’s friendship evolved?
They say opposites attract! However, they’ve got a lot of similarities that they don’t realise, even though their political views are opposite. They’re both passionate about the way they see life and the way they think life should operate and how other people should be behaving.
I think that’s what The Outlaws shows as well, that when you put a group of human beings - who all hold different political views, different ages, different races - into a situation, it’s not impossible for them to all get along. Life doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s possible for them to get along. It is possible for human beings to exist in the same space. I love that about the show.
How is it working with and ensemble cast?
Great. it’s the best thing. When you do soaps, you don’t necessarily get to see the whole cast, just the people that you’re working with. But in a series like The Outlaws, we have a lot of scenes together, so we know each other, and we know each other’s characters.
How has it been filming the show in Bristol?
I love Bristol. If I ever move out of London, I’m going to Bristol. I love Cottam, I love Clifton, Bedminster with all the independent shops. I like the restaurants. I like the vintage shops. I love Bristol. It’s my favourite city in the UK.
Interview with Jessica Gunning
(Diane)
Can you introduce us to The Outlaws?
The Outlaws follows a group of people from all walks of life who are doing community service together, and I play the Supervisor, Diane. I have to look after them whilst they do their community payback and keep my eyes on them, but they get up to lots of mischief behind Diane’s back.
What can viewers expect from season three of The Outlaws?
The gang are back, Diane is here, still as a Community Payback Officer, and she is training up a new character, Stan, played by Harry Trevaldwyn. He is a superstar. Best person ever. Love him to bits. So, Diane’s training him up, and she’s also a PCSO, as at the end of series two she graduated.
What are some of the traits Diane has?
She’s persistent, she’s good at her job, she’s ruthless, no-nonsense, she never misses a trick - or so she thinks! Hard working, dedicated, loyal. She is a big fan of Haines, who is a police officer in the series. She tries her best and in a dream world she would become a police officer.
Is there anything Diane wants more than to be a police officer?
I don’t think there is anything more that Diane wants than to become a police officer. Maybe an American police detective. She’s Cagney & Lacey’s number one fan. Apart from that I think that’s her main goal is to follow in Haines’ footsteps and become a police officer. Does she get there? You’ll have to wait and see.
What is the toughest challenge that Diane faces this season?
I don’t want to give too much away, but her loyalties are tested. In one moment, she has to question whether Haines is the woman she thinks she is. I think that was a tough moment for her. That was the toughest test.
Do you have a favourite unlikely friendship in the show?
I think an example of an unlikely relationship is Gabby and Greg. I think they’ve got a really cute friendship storyline throughout the series, and you really root for them as mates. Also Myrna and John. You really see a closeness. And with Diane and Stan, her new protégé, hopefully there’s a little friendship brewing at the end of the series with them.
Are there any stand out scenes you filmed this series?
All of my favourite scenes were the ones we filmed on the City Farm in Bristol. It’s so amazing to see it all come to life. Some of the places were already here on the farm itself, but our props and our art departments did all the signs, built this massive shed, which I just think is amazing. And seeing all The Outlaws back in their tabards.
Is there a storyline or performance that stands out for you in this new series?
I’m going to have to give a shout out to Harry Trevaldwyn (Stan), because I was a massive fan of his before he joined the show and he’s been amazing. I think he’s so funny as Stan, and I’ve absolutely loved working with him. I think he’s a stand-out for me.
Can you tell us more about Stan and Diane’s relationship?
Diane and Stan have quite a cute little friendship. She’s his superior. He’s probably the only person who’s looked up to her, so it’s all new to her. But she kind of loves it. He idolises her. He thinks she’s like a West Country Lizzo, which really makes me laugh. They’re just really sweet together. It’s really nice to see Diane have someone like Stan, and really hang on her every word, like her little nuggets of wisdom are correct all the time. I think it’s a really cute friendship and hopefully the audience will root for them as much as I do.
What are the themes in the new series?
Crime. I guess there’s also a sense of revenge in some of the court cases that are happening. Friendship, loyalty, tying up loose ends, and potentially murder. And Gabby is trying to get pregnant, so I think there’s a nice little theme there, and questions about whether she would be a good mum or not.
What has it been like reuniting with the cast this season?
It’s been lovely all being back together, and I felt very lucky that I was in the writers’ room this time as I co-wrote an episode with Stephen, episode five. It’s been really exciting to be a part of helping draft the storyline for series three and get to know the characters more than I did before.
What was it like working with Stephen as a writer?
I feel really lucky to have been asked into the writers’ room. Occasionally on series one and two, me and Stephen would ad-lib little bits, or John Butler and I would come up with little alternative lines here and there for Diane, so I was always really involved and liked watching how it was done, and I think Stephen recognised that and asked would I like to join the writers’ room. I’ve learnt so much from him and all of the writers, and it was a real honour to see it all come to life.
How is it working with and ensemble cast?
I love working with ensemble casts, I love feeling part of a big group, a big family. It’s my favourite way to work. Also, I think the characters are so well written for this, and all of the actors seem to know their characters by now, so I think you could put us in any scenario and everyone would know how everyone would react, which is really testament to the show itself, to Stephen and the creatives of the show, but also to the actors who play those parts. Everyone does it so well and one of my favourite things is just to watch how everyone takes their lines, how everyone does the scene and what choices everyone makes. I love working in an ensemble, the more the merrier.
Interview with Rhianne Barreto
(Rani)
Can you recap your character Rani in series one and two?
In season one you find Rani, a brainiac with an offer to study at Oxford. After stealing some goodies from a shopping centre, she finds herself in community service. She meets a boy called Ben, and there is an instant connection. They get embroiled in a criminal gang and drama ensues.
Rani has a pretty wild coming of age journey. She is someone that is incredibly intelligent, who grows and develops herself to use that intelligence, to help others - and become a badass.
When Rani leaves Ben at the seaside last series and steals a car, what ultimately does she want?
Ultimately, I think she wants to be a part of a plan that is hers, and that she has agency in. She’s not going with anything because of someone else’s dream. I think her for her whole life, her parents and with Ben, it’s been everyone else’s idea of what she should be.
What is the toughest challenge Rani faces in this series?
The toughest challenge my character has faced is listening to themselves, or just even knowing themselves. So much of Rani’s life has been other people telling her what she wants or what she should want. I think in this series, she’s having to make choices for herself.
What have been some of your favourite scenes to film this series?
It’s really nice to film the group scenes, they’re really fun. It feels like we’re in a theatre play, a big scene takes stamina and it’s fun to support each other and play through that.
Is there a storyline that particularly surprises you this season?
I think all of them surprise me! I think they’re all really exciting. I think Myrna (Clare Perkins) and John’s (Darren Boyd) story is really beautiful and I think that will be really enjoyable to watch, because Clare and Darren are so great.
What have been some of your favourite locations to film on?
It was nice being on a farm and in nature, though it wasn’t so good for my hayfever!
What has it been like reuniting with your castmates this series?
It’s been so lovely, it’s really nice to come back and work with people that you have a shorthand with. It just feels like a comfortable relationship that is such a dream. I really love the cast.
What themes are explored in series three?
Danger, death. Love, and family.