Carrie Lyell chats to the writer and co-star of BBC Four comedy Bucket.
Bittersweet BBC Four comedy Bucket, starring Miriam Margolyes and Frog Stone, has been the highlight of our Thursday evenings for the past three weeks. We caught up with Frog, who also wrote the series, to find out more about her inspiration for it, and whether or not there will be a second season.
DIVA: Hi Frog! Where have we seen you before?
Frog Stone: I’m an actor. You may have seen me as Tatu in No Offence, Irana in Shameless, mad Aunt Nino in sci-fi flick Jupiter Ascending or a host of other comedies including Peep Show, Fresh Meat, Extras and Derek. I’ve also written for numerous TV sketch shows, CBBC and live comedy for years, but this is my first authored series!
For those who haven’t seen the show (for shame!) what is Bucket about?
It’s about a mad and inappropriate mother forcing her repressed and resentful daughter on the road to fulfil her bucket list. One is 70 and scared of dying and one is 35, and scared of living. They have had a tricky relationship so far and this is their chance to reconcile… if the swearing, farting, secrets and lies don’t get in the way!
Where did the inspiration come from?
I wanted to write something for me and Miriam anyway – but when my own father died pretty quickly, I found myself wanting to look at a “what might have been”, if we could have reconciled. I think in emotional truth and darkness there’s a lot of laughs as well as pain. But I might add, my parents were nothing like the character Mim and I’m not Fran either! That’s fiction.
What was it like working with Miriam Margolyes?
Exactly as you might imagine… !
Ha! Any behind the scenes gossip?
Well, that would be telling… but we do have Stephanie Beacham playing a cousin so it did get very glamorous and Dynasty-esque for a week.
We see so many “buddy movies” about male relationships, but hardly anything about female ones. Why do you think that is?
You have to fight for them. For too long women have been kept in the domestic sphere so TV and film types don’t even think of the idea of taking those important relationships out into the world. It’s a surprise to them, still, and yet the audience loves them. They are also complex, which is why they are fascinating and funny and flawed… but you still have to fight.
If you could go on a road trip with anyone, who would it be and why?
Julie Andrews. I’m quite the fan.
I have to ask – what’s on your bucket list?
Um… is it ok to say Julie Andrews again?!
Sure! So, we have to know. Will there be a second series of Bucket?
Not sure yet. Fingers and eyes crossed!
Bucket concludes Thursday 4 May at 10pm. Missed an episode? Catch up now on iPlayer.
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