Mid-lockdown crisis

The pandemic prompts Nicola to question her life

iven Nicola’s rampant libido, one could be forgiven for thinking that she’d spend most of lockdown dragging husband Jimmy up the stairs with a can of squirty cream in hand.

But the narky redhead has no interest in nooky, and is knee-deep in paperwork relating to her role as village councillor.

Stuck in the house with three young kids and unable to seek solace at The Woolpack, it’s no wonder she and her other half start sniping at one another. But Jimmy knows his wife well enough to realise that there’s a sadness beneath her snappy behaviour. Something is clearly bothering her.

G‘I think Nicola is doing a little bit of life assessment,’ says Nicola Wheeler, who plays her. ‘When every day is the same, you start looking at your life. There’s a scene where she says, “When lockdown ends and everything’s back to normal, I’ll still be doing the same thing.”

‘What’s become apparent is that nothing much has changed for her, apart from not being able to go out. She realises she has nothing to look forward to once lockdown ends.’

As Nicola constantly complains that her life is as dull as dishwater, and everyone else has it better than she does, Jimmy is forced to face facts – change is needed.

‘Nicola is not an easy person to live with,’ adds Nick Miles, who plays the put-upon hubby, ‘but the thing about Jimmy is that he is the ultimate survivor.

‘He is the only King left standing, and he is sort of bulletproof; that’s why Nicola needs him. But it does occur to him that his relationship could be on the rocks.’

Can Jimmy help Nic get back the fire in her belly? And will the couple emerge from lockdown with their marriage still intact?