The cafe-set comedy serving up laughs and an insight on asylum life
Kate And Koji sees Brenda Blethyn returning to a British sitcom, writes Gemma Dunn
It’s been a long time since Brenda Blethyn starred in a UK studio sitcom. Some three decades, in fact, for those who recall her role opposite Simon Callow in Chance In A Million. But now the Vera actor is returning to the fold in ITV’S six-part comedy, Kate And Koji.
“I’ve done a couple of them [since] in America, and I suppose it is kind of similar, but there’s a different vibe,” says Blethyn, on a break between rehearsals.
“It’s lovely having the audience in, it’s really nice,” says the Secrets And Lies actor, 74.
“We’ve been very fortunate because they’ve been so warm and responsive during every episode so far.”
Filmed in front of a live audience, Kate And Koji, written by the brains behind Outnumbered, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, centres around Kate, the owner of an old-fashioned seaside cafe who forms an unexpected friendship with Koji, an African asylum seeker-cum-qualified doctor.
Although from very different worlds, it’s evident they share similar traits, including a determination to never back down.
While Golden Globe winner Blethyn shines as Kate, it’s down to Jimmy Akingbola to play Koji, whose previous studio sitcom experience lies in The Crouches; a short-lived BBC series that ended in 2005.
So what does the duo make of the title characters’ spirited relationship?
“She is a bit scathing, but she’s got the wrong idea, blaming him for sitting there [in her cafe] because he’s unemployed,” Blethyn begins.
“You soon discover that she’s got a heart underneath all that – and that’s just what most people do think about immigrants coming into [the country].”
“At the same time, he’s a little bit pompous... And I’m probably being kind to him there,” Akingbola says.
“He’s defensive. There’s that air of, ‘Do you know I’m a doctor? I’ve got a big house in West Africa somewhere. I’m above all this, but I know I’m a part of it’. And yet he still displays that caring quality.
“They’re stuck in their ways, but they are kind people, once they get over the arguing,” he says.
“They stick up for each other,” Blethyn adds. “They’re survivors. They’ve both had tough times, but they get on with it.”
Joining them is Kate’s “peacekeeper” nephew, Medium, played by Blake Harrison; Councillor Bone, portrayed by Barbara Flynn; and Dr Ayesha Radwan, played by Meera Syal.
Aside from the laughs, however, there’s a serious subject matter at stake too.
An asylum-seeker who is fleeing persecution, Koji is a proud man, bewildered at finding himself marooned in Seagate (a fictional town based in South Essex).
And it’s all too recognisable
“There’s the comedy aspect, but it’s got to come from truth”
a scenario, Akingbola empathises: “I met a guy who’s in a similar situation to Koji – and they do get sent out of London into all these different towns.
“So he really is a fish out of water, but also he’s not alone when he talks about being in a hostel. There are tons just like him.
“There’s the comedy aspect, but it’s got to come from truth. I didn’t want people just laughing at him or at the situation. I wanted us to really bring it to the forefront and educate people and go there and expose it, in terms of how difficult it is.
“If you get £5 a day and town is a bus ride out of the way, how do you get your shopping? And if you don’t have friends and access to money elsewhere, how do you function? How do you survive?
“So while this is a great comedy, the writers don’t shy away from the truth and how people are, having been in Koji’s position for months or years at a time, just waiting,” he says.
“I’m from Ramsgate and there’s people coming across... they’re people.” Blethyn adds. “They’ve all got this label and they’re real people.”
Next, the Kent-born actor will travel to Newcastle where she will begin filming the 11th series of ITV hit drama, Vera.
“It comes around quickly, but I’m so used to it. It’s a happy atmosphere,” Blethyn says, having played the DCI for nine years.
Meanwhile Akingbola is off to America, where he now spends most of his time.
“I’m doing a new show with Liam Hemsworth called The Most Dangerous Game; I did a comedy with Jason Sudeikis called Ted Lasso; and there may be another In The Long Run, as well,” referring to Idris Elba’s Sky comedy.
“I’m just trying to keep busy. But I’m also trying to get in Vera now – I can’t do Geordie though.”
“Nor can I,” Blethyn screeches, and with that the two are rolling about laughing, “Oh, it would be lovely – but I wouldn’t get any work done.”
● Kate And Koji launches on ITV on Wednesday at 8pm