Hollyoaks legend to star in new BBC dark comedy series based on award-winning play
Jennifer Metcalfe has joined the cast of the new BBC drama Just Act Normal, which is based on the award-winning play Three Birds by Janice Okoh
Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe has bagged a role in the BBC’s upcoming dark comedy-drama set in Birmingham.
The six-part series is based on Janice Okoh’s award-winning play Three Birds, which previously scooped the esteemed Bruntwood Playwriting Prize. The plot revolves around three siblings harbouring a dreadful family secret.
When their mother vanishes, Tiana, Tionne, and Tanika are desperate to conceal the truth from the world to keep their family intact.
“As Tiana struggles to keep their regular lives afloat, Tionna displaces his grief and Tanika tries to convince her teacher to adopt them, chaos erupts when their mum’s hapless drug dealer, Dr Feelgood, moves in,” the official synopsis continues.
Just Act Normal follows three siblings who are hiding a terrible family secret(Image: BBC)
“The series is a irreverent portrait of black working-class teenage life. A coming-of-age story of sorts. The first times, the f*** ups, and the excruciating desire to be more grown up than you’re ready to be,” reports the Liverpool Echo.
The logline concludes: “It’s a celebration of black joy, of council estates, and corner shops. Of working-class living and working-class dreams. It is human and tender, with a thumping great heart.”
Newcomers Chenée Taylor, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie and Akins Subair will portray Tiana, Tanika and Tionne, respectively.
Vigil’s Romola Garai takes on the role of the caring and dedicated teacher Ms Jenkins, while Back to Black’s Sam Buchanan stars as the surprisingly kind-hearted Dr Feelgood.
Ivanno Jeremiah, known for his role in Humans, stars as the fun-loving father of three, Leo, while Jennifer Metcalfe, famed for her portrayal of Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks, guest stars as Leo’s new partner Candy.
Talitha Wing from The Full Monty completes the cast as Rome, an Instagram model grappling with her self-esteem.
The series, filmed across the West Midlands, is a production of The Forge Entertainment, the company behind hits like The Buccaneers and Ackley Bridge. It is set to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.
Just Act Normal is created and written by Janice Okoh and is directed by Nathaniel Martello-White, who also doubles as co-executive producer.
