‘It's just so unforgivable'

On location in Devon, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Dawn French chat to TV Times about their new drama in which gossip gets toxic

Dawn French has been one of Britain’s best-loved comedians for almost four decades.

So TV Times is both excited and intrigued as we head to Devon to find out about her much-anticipated new ITV drama, The Trouble with Maggie Cole.

‘I live in Cornwall, so filming here in Devon is lovely,’ Dawn enthuses over delicious local pastries in a small community hall that is doubling as the show’s primary school.

‘But the irony is, I was furthest away from the set because all the other cast stayed nearby, so it didn’t feel particularly convenient! It’s been a pleasure, though, and we’ve had so much fun filming.’

The six-part series is based on an idea Dawn originally had for a novel and sees the actor play the titular character of Maggie Cole, a local busybody from the small fictional coastal town of Thurlbury.

Maggie works in the castle gift shop at Thurlbury Keep, and in this week’s opening episode, a radio journalist asks her for some insight into local life as the town celebrates its 500th birthday.

However, after several gin and tonics, Maggie ends up revealing big secrets and repeating wicked rumours, the broadcast of which has terrible consequences.

Maggie even manages to upset her best friend Jill Wheadon, played by former Corrie favourite Julie Hesmondhalgh.

During a filming break, Dawn, 62, and Julie, 50, tell us more…

What are your characters like?