Jason Manford Interview - upcoming BBC Ordinary Lives

We all tell little white lies everyday be it for self-protection, success or for love. But what happens when a spur-of-the-moment mistruth snowballs and begins to take over? Is it possible get away with it, or will the lie inevitably come undone to devastating effect? 

Set in a car showroom, Ordinary Lies is a compelling drama about how a simple lie can spiral out of control. With drama, tragedy, warmth and humour, each episode focuses on one of the colleagues and friends of JS Motors. From party-loving receptionists, Tracy (Michelle Keegan) and Viv (Cherelle Skeet) and ambitious company boss, Mike (Max Beesley) to enigmatic salesman, Pete (Mackenzie Crook) and mothering PA, Kathy (Sally Lindsay), each new and individual story questions just how well we know the people we work with.

We caught up with the stars of the show, first up Jason Manford.

Can you tell us a bit about Ordinary Lies?
The series is brilliant. Danny Brocklehurst is a top writer having done The Driver, Shameless and Clocking Off. The Production Company is brilliant; it’s Red Production Company who did Happy Valley and Last Tango In Halifax so it’s got a great pedigree to start with. And then to be on it with Mackenzie Crook, Max Beesley and the likes of Michelle Keegan, it’s a great cast! The stories are really fun; Ordinary Lies delves into those big lies that you tell that spiral out of control.

Tell us about your character, Marty?
Marty is about to get sacked, so he does the most ridiculous thing by panicking and telling his boss that his wife has died, which he totally makes up. It’s a big lie to tell, but there’s a slight relief after he tells it and he starts to enjoy it, which is a bit sick! The lie obviously unravels and you see the decline into the madness of the situation that he’s forced himself into. It was great to do; there are loads of funny bits in it but there are also some very heart-warming moments as well.

It’s one of your first acting roles in TV drama. How did you find it?
It was great – Marty is the bloke who thinks he’s funny in the office. It’s true there is always that guy and if I hadn’t been a comedian, I probably would have ended up being that guy! So it’s a bit like Sliding Doors really – this could have been me!

Had you worked with Danny Brocklehurst before?
No, I had a bit part in Shameless years ago but never worked with him to this extent. I know him as we’re both Manchester based and everyone in Manchester who works on the television knows each other, but I’d wanted to work with him for a while, so it was a real privilege to be able to work with him on a script like this.

What was the atmosphere like on set – was there anyone you particularly bonded with?
I was really good friends with Sally Lindsay anyway. I think I asked her out when I was 17 actually and she was about 23 and obviously it never happened! I was very confident! I’ve known her a long time though and she’s brilliant. I’ve worked with Max (Beesley) a couple of times before and Mackenzie (Crook) and I are a similar age. Rebecca Callard plays a larger role in my episode and she was great to work with, along with Michelle Keegan, who was brilliant as well.

What do you think is so appealing about Ordinary Lies?
The enjoyment of watching this show is that you can see how a horrendous lie can end up. I think the audience will be shouting at the screen saying “what are you doing?!” What’s interesting about the script is that some of the lies are totally the person’s own fault, whilst some are lies that the characters had no option but to tell. There are a lot of sympathetic characters in there and although my character is a bit of an idiot, you do feel a bit sorry for him