Back for a second season, Mount Pleasant has switched channels but promises to be just as much fun. John Byrne glances down the street and Sally Lindsay talks up the show’s return.
There’s no doubt that Sky is increasing its reach in terms of output these days. In the past, the focus of its main entertainment channels was on US imports, but in recent times they’ve invested heavily in producing their own shows.
One of the best is comedy-drama Mount Pleasant, which returns for a second season, but has switched from Sky One to Sky Living, on Wednesdays. Created by Sarah Hooper (Shameless), the series follows the not-so perfect life of Mancunian couple Lisa (former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay) and Dan (Daniel Ryan) who ride the ups and downs of marriage surrounded by their friends and family.
Season one saw Lisa and Dan hit a rocky patch. Not only did Lisa have to fend off temptress neighbour Bianca (Sian Reeves) and the newly-widowed Kate (Liza Tarbuck), she also had to deal with her own confused emotions when her head was turned by new neighbour Jack (Owen McDonnell).
Supporting her through the highs and lows were her parents Sue (Pauline Collins) and Barry (Bobby Ball), as well as best friends and workmates Shelley (Angela Griffin) and Denise (Ainsley Howard), who weren't without their own issues. While Shelley's marriage to Greg (Adrian Bower) was torn apart by his gambling problems, Denise discovered she was pregnant with her boss's baby.
As season opens on Mount Pleasant, everything is rosy for Lisa and Dan. Although the same can't be said for the rest of the gang; Shelley and Greg are trying to live separate lives, while Denise attempts to keep Fergus (Neil Fitzmaurice) away from baby Joshua. Meanwhile, Sian goes back to the future when her teenage stepson Gary (George Sampson, Waterloo Road) moves in.
Sally Lindsay, who plays Lisa, is looking forward to seeing if Mount Pleasant can hit the highs it achieved first time around – here are her thoughts as season two beckons . . .
Was being reunited with the cast for series two a bit like the first day back at school?
Totally. It was just amazing. We all get on so well and the new cast members all fitted in brilliantly. It's part of the magic of the show and I think that comes across on screen, which is why people want to spend an hour with us every week. The people who love it really love it as well, it's just great.
What do you think it was that made the first season such a success?
It's a very real show with very real language, and it looks great. It's beautifully lit and the houses are all gorgeous. Everybody's dressed really well, it looks like a nice place to be and people want to escape into this world. You don't have to think too hard about it, you can relax with a treat and a glass of wine and drift away.
So where do we find Lisa this time around?
Lisa is back in the game, loving Dan and arguing with him. I was really worried about reading the script for episode one to find out where Lisa and Dan were after that great first series finale where they got back together. But I'm really pleased they're back to normal and all the shenanigans with the family are back. At the start of this series, we meet Lisa's new best friend Kim, played by Claire Goose, who becomes the new threat to the marriage.
Kim isn't necessarily someone Lisa should trust, is she?
Maybe not. But she's a perfect friend as far as Lisa can see. She's warm and funny, she knows everyone, she has nice clothes, and that's everything Lisa loves. She really has her head turned by this newcomer.
What's the atmosphere like on set? Is there a lot of joking around?
Yes, we laugh from the moment we arrive to the moment we leave. And Angela and I can chat for hours about nothing. My favourite scenes are when we're all together, and there are some great ones this time with a party for Barry and a pub quiz. And we've done a Christmas special, too, which was brilliant fun. Bobby is a nightmare, though, he can't help himself. He's a consummate stand-up comedian and he's always cracking jokes for the crew. He says he's not really an actor but he is absolutely fantastic.
Do you have a most memorable moment so far?
From this last series, Robson's first scene was pretty memorable. Everybody was there and we were all singing Dancing Queen and stopped when he arrived with Bianca and she said, "This is Chris everyone, he's a university lecturer." We all had the same response at the same time which made Robson crack up because he wasn't expecting it. It was magic and just showed how in tune we all are with each other as actors.
Finally, why should people watch the show?
You can watch series two even if you haven't watched the first, but I think this one will make you want to go back and catch up. It's funny, warm and down-to-earth escapism. It looks lovely and it's a treat. A lot of people have told me about how they save Mount Pleasant to watch in their special time, whether it be on a Friday night to kick off the weekend with a bottle of wine, or on a Sunday before going back to work the next day.
Mount Pleasant shows on Sky Living on Wednesdays at 9.00pm
