Comeback special
HOW NEW COMEDY MAXXX TAKES A POP AT THE POST-FAME GAME…
IT PULLS BACK THE BOY BAND CURTAIN
Maxxx is a ruthlessly funny exposé of a world where celebrity is the only currency that counts, viewed through the bleary lens of its titular star (played by The Handmaid’s Tale’s O-T Fagbenle). A washed-up member of former teen sensations Boystown (signature hit: ‘Can I See Your ID?’), Maxxx is now bankrupt, popping pills, trying to make a comeback and reconcile with a girlfriend who has long since moved on. “I think of Maxxx as a 17-year-old who really wanted to be a famous musician,” says Fagbenle. “He thinks being famous is the same as being loved and respected. He represents a lot of what’s going on the world, where ‘likes’ represent genuine popularity.”
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR
Writer/director/star Fagbenle (soon to be seen on the big screen in Black Widow) also wrote some of the series’ music, which is produced by O-T’s younger brother Luti. A music-video producer whose work has clocked up more than three billion views, Luti’s stellar collaborators include Drake, Beyoncé and One Direction. “We have to deliver for each other,” he explains.
“That pressure is infectious. We care about the work and each other. It means so much to us. To sit down with press and so on, this is a huge deal and we don’t want to fuck it up!”
THE SHOW GOES TO EXTREMES
He may get bottled off a PA in an Essex nightclub, attacked by doves during a music video, and way out of his depth at a sex party, but however far-fetched Maxxx’s experiences seem, we’re assured they’re not beyond the realms of possibility. “I was keen on showing the most extreme versions of reality,” says O-T. “I can’t name names but I’ve seen my fair share of divas,” adds Luti. “If you’re put in a certain position where people treat you in a certain way, that will affect you after a while. I’ve seen it all!”
THE ENSEMBLE IS CLASSY
Helen Monks (Upstart Crow) plays Maxxx’s cousin and superfan Rose, with whom he ends up lodging in desperation. Meanwhile, his son Amit – adopted as a publicity gimmick when Boystown were at their peak – is played by newcomer Alan Asaad. His duelling minders are Oz’s Christopher Meloni (as veteran music producer Don Wild) and MotherFatherSon’s Pippa Bennett-Warner, playing super-square manager Tamzin. “Don is a ’60s wild man who thinks he’s 27,” says Meloni, grimacing. “I’ve never worn stretchy jeans in my life! He believes the world revolves around him, that being the starmaker makes him the star. He’s damaged, but he’s OK with that.”
THERE’S CAMEOS A-GO-GO
Watch out for walk-ons from Jonathan Ross, Larry King, Lemar and, most notably, supermodel Jourdan Dunn, also playing ‘herself’ as Maxxx’s over-it ex. “One of my riders was that my on-screen girlfriend should be a supermodel!” laughs O-T. “We were so lucky, but I was panicked. An actual supermodel? [Co-director] Nick Collett and I got her in and worried whether she’d be any good at acting, but before long we were high fiving. Plus, she’s up for making fun of herself and making out with me…” Gabriel Tate
MAXXX STARTS ON E4 AND ALL 4 THIS MONTH.