Derek S2 - An interview with Holli Dempsey

15 April 2014

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Q: What is happening to Vicky at the start of the second series of Derek?

A: Vicky is in a much better place. She’s found her way. She’s discovered something she’s good at. She does nails and hair extensions for OAPs, and that snowballs. She likes to care for people – for her that’s the most important thing in the world.

 

Q: Tell us a bit about Vicky.

A: She’s into hair, nails, clothes and boys. She is on the cusp of being growing up and being cool. Working in a care home is not that cool, but she does it because she sees the good in people like Hannah and Derek. You can really see the growth in her during this series.

 

Q: What does Vicky think of Hannah and Derek?

A: She really admires Hannah. She knows she’s really strong and can handle anything. Vicky looks up to Hannah and wants to turn out like her. She also thinks Derek’s kindness is infectious. You’d have to be a horrible person not to be infected by him. She loves him because he is so sweet and kind.

 

Q: How have you found Ricky as a director?

A: You almost forget that he’s the director because he’s so relaxed. He’s really good at communicating – you always know what he wants. He also laughs constantly – that can’t be a bad thing. The mood on set is always up, and that means everyone looks forward to coming to work with him every morning.

 

Q: What has it been like working with Ricky the actor?

A: I find it so interesting to see the transition between Ricky and Derek. Ricky will be laughing and joking as the director, and then suddenly he will snap into the character of Derek. That underlines what a tremendous actor he is.

 

Q: In one episode of the new series, Vicky accompanies the pensioners on a trip to the zoo. Did you enjoy filming those scenes?

A: Absolutely. It was brilliant fun. Ricky was clearly in his element – he loves animals, as we all do. The storyline was about how much the old people were loving their day out, but the truth is the rest of us loved it just as much.

 

Q: Does Derek have something to teach us about the way we regard older people?

A: Definitely. Especially in this country, we have a great fear of getting older. People are scared of mortality. I have friends from India and Africa who don’t see that. We can learn a lot from the show, and it can help us to become less frightened of getting older. Everyone who’s watched Derek says that it’s made them think, and that can only be a good thing. If it makes you pick up the phone to your granny or your auntie, that’s more than enough.

 

Q: What message do you think that Derek sends out?

A: The message is so basic: be kind – that’s an inherent human instinct that we forget about all too often. The show stands out because its message is so simple, but so strong. Everyone can relate to it because everyone can relate to the idea of trying to be more kind. That really rings true for people.