Derek S2 - An interview with Kerry Godliman

15 April 2014

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Q: Where is Hannah at the beginning of the second series?

A: She’s in love and happy. It’s a nice new angle on her life, and it’s been great fun to play. Has it affected her relationship with Derek? No, that’s unique and special. It’s very much intact and consistent. Derek is not jealous – he is not like that. It’s a different dynamic between him and her. There’s this great trust between Hannah and Derek and a very reliable sense of affection.

 

Q: Can you develop that a little, please?

A: Hannah’s feelings remain the same – she knows that Derek is a very loving person and that he brings out the best in her. She’s very protective – wants to shield him from women who are less sweet. She doesn’t want him to be corrupted. She knows that he’s a very open person who is not judgemental or cynical or any of the other bad things the rest of us are. A lot of heroes on TV are bullies, and a lot of shows are about Schadenfreude; we watch people being rubbish at something to make ourselves feel better. But Derek is the opposite. Viewers might be relieved to see a hero who shows you different ways of behaving. He is compassionate and giving and loving. I think that’s quite a brave thing to portray.

 

Q: How do you find acting with Ricky?

A: He is lovely to act with. As the character of Derek has grown and the response has been so warm, I feel as if I have discovered things about Derek that weren’t there before. He is an incredible character who just keeps on growing. The response to him has been amazing. During our scenes together, it is not hard to convey that fondness and warmth towards him because I feel it.

 

Q: How would you characterise Ricky as a director?

A: He’s very relaxed. He creates a great atmosphere on set, and he is lots of fun. Corpsing is not a problem as long as we get a scene at the end of it.

 

Q: What have fans said to you about the show?

A: They love it. I have genuinely had an overwhelming response. A lot of people say that as they watch it they laugh through the tears. The fact that people can laugh and sob at the same time is something new – it’s not something they have experienced every week.

 

Q: Can you expand on viewers’ reactions to the programme?

A: The people I have been particularly touched by are family friends who work in care. They have told me that they really recognise the place we have conjured up. They think it accurately captures a care home. For them, there is something familiar about the world we have created. People have said to me, “When I’m old, I want to go to Broad Hill Retirement Home.” I’ve also had a lot of emails from people who have mental health issues in their family. Those pieces of feedback are the richest.

 

Q: People have really latched on to the character of Hannah, haven’t they?

A: Yes. Some people have said to me, “I want Hannah to look after me when I get older.” I have to explain to them very patiently that I’m not actually Hannah. That’s upsetting to some people. I’d be awful as a care worker. I think you’d struggle to find many comedians who’d make good carers!

 

Q: Are you and Hannah very similar?

A: No, we not very alike. I’d aspire to be more like her. I’d like her patience and her benevolence. I particularly like the fact that she is not judgemental. Some people feel that Kev doesn’t belong in the nursing home. But Hannah doesn’t have a problem with him because she cares for everyone and Kev is clearly desperate for care. She doesn’t see him as any different from anyone else. He is a damaged soul who needs affection.

 

Q: If it were to be commissioned, would you be keen to make a third series of Derek?

A: Definitely. There are lots of new places to take it. As we keep moving forward, the show will throw up a lot of new stories – life does that. Is there more to say? The show is so human that that is like saying,” Is there more to say in real life?” I ruddy hope so!