‘ANNA CALLS US THE COVEN!’
Flack star Lydia Wilson on working with Oscar winners and why the new series gave her goosebumps
For those who didn’t catch the first series of comedy-drama Flack, we urge you to check it out before the second one arrives next week.
With a cast including Oscar winner Anna Paquin, who won for The Piano in 1994, and Sophie Okonedo, who was Oscar nominated for Hotel Rwanda in 2005, the show delves into the fictional world of naughty celebs who need their mess cleaned up by a group of PR execs.
But while Anna, who plays PR Robyn, and Sophie, as brutal boss-lady Caroline, provide the star power (alongside a slew of famous guest stars) it’s Lydia Wilson who steals the show.
The 35-year-old plays Eve, the posh, ice-cool blonde with all the good lines and good clothes, who works alongside BFF Robyn. The last episode saw their friendship in tatters after a betrayal. As we rejoin the ladies, Eve is still coming to terms with what happened.
We got on the phone to Lydia, who’s also starred in Ripper Street, to find out what it was like working with legends and what this series has in store…
Hi, Lydia! We are so excited for series two of Flack. What can we expect from the PRS at Mills Paulson?
Series one was quite joyful in the way it played out, but in series two I’ve had to develop the character of Eve. She is someone we all enjoyed so much and part of me didn’t want to peel back a layer. But in light of what happened to her we have to and we find out about her loneliness, the expectations put on her and her class. We also get to meet her mum and to see what she’s on the run from. Plus, Anna’s performance in this is so brilliant, she gives you goosebumps.
So, what was it like for you working with legends?
Ha! There was actually one day I was filming in a room with Sophie, Anna, Sam Neill, and Daniel Dae Kim, who was in Lost, and I thought, “God, there’s not enough room in here for all the awards you guys have won!” It was surreal! It was a real pinchyourself moment, but they were all so very sweet, which made it fun.
Flack is a female-driven show – all the leads are women. Do you think that was interesting for the male guest stars?
Just being at work with loads of women, who are rounded, important characters and not just token girls in a troupe of guys felt dramatically different. The guys who’ve come on seem to love it! They seem to crave being in a group of women – [Beecham House actor] Marc Warren was like that last year. These men seem to blossom in our company. Sam was the same. He’s such a huge star, but so humble!
What do you think attracts all these big names to Flack?
It’s the scripts. They’re so funny – the words are like aliens landing from outer space. I don’t often read things that are actually funny and I think the strength of that writing has pulled in some really cool stars. I’m already very close to Daniel, who plays Eve’s new love interest, he’s a real gentleman. It’s a huge gift when a guest actor comes on set, prepared and up for it. We’re there every day, so it’s lovely when a celeb comes in.
And what’s it like working with Anna?
Oh, I just love it. She’s fantastic. As is Rebecca Benson, who plays our co-worker, Melody. Mostly between takes, the three of us will just hold each other, like penguins in the snow. We must seem very peculiar. We go somewhere private to huddle instead! We’re all introverts and we’ve never worked with three of our type before, so there’s a lot of love between us. Anna’s at the heart of that – she calls us The Coven!
How much are you like Eve?
I’m very different! She’s a bit like the girl at school I always wished I had the confidence to be. As for her fashion, she’s like a Mayfair punk, don’t you think? I’ve got so many clothes, but I think Eve might find them a bit too “alternative”.
Flack shows a lot of celebs misbehaving. Have you seen much of that in showbiz?
Nothing jumps out. I’ve never been involved in a scandal at work or seen anything like that!
Have you ever had reservations about a storyline? Did any of them cross the line?
Our writers definitely push things! In the first series we did a porn video for a young star coming of age
– I never got over that! Sometimes, I asked if we should do certain things and I’d be really scared to go there, but then that’s what comedy is!
Flack starts Monday 13 April at 10pm on W