THELOVEPRAT
In new sitcom Bliss, Stephen Mangan plays a dad juggling two women and two families. He sounds like a bit of a rotter – but as BRIAN McIVER writes, he’s more sad than cad
(Cross, the writer) makes fun of Andrew rather than saying he’s cool. David is actually laughing at men.
“The women in Bliss are very sympathetic. You feel more for them than you do for Andrew.
“I hope people find it really funny. It’s also an interesting psychological study of someone leading a double life.
“I can relate to being a people-pleaser. It can make you crazy and yet you keep convincing yourself that it’s a good thing.
“Andrew has good intentions, but they only make things much worse.
“Whatever happens, I would love to do more episodes of Bliss. I’ve loved doing this. It’s so original. I can’t think of another show like it.”
Graham plays American Kim, who seems “proper and conservative on the surface” but is becoming frustrated with Andrew and decides to pursue her dreams.
However, we’ll see Andrew desperately try to dissuade her from this.
She added: “He tries to keep her off social media and make sure she doesn’t have a lot of friends.
“The less she is out there, the less chance there is of him being found out.”
Andrew also tries to keep his children Christina and Kris, both 15, off social media, and his worst nightmare is them meeting each other and mistaking familial similarities for a romantic spark.
Graham said: “He’s trying to be a good dad but he’s not doing a great job.
“His decisions have turned him into a basket case on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”
Andrew’s mission to keep his families apart meant on screen, the two actresses have become great pals behind the scenes.
Hartley said: “She’s a beautiful spirit. I have visited her in LA and New York.
“She is a very calm, centred person. She’s very focused, professional, talented and quick. It has been an amazingly clever idea to cast Heather. She’s just brilliant.” ●Bliss starts on Sky One on Wednesday, February 14.