Diane Morgan on the return of her BBC Two comedy

A new fourth series of Diane Morgan's comedy Mandy starts Monday 21 July at 10pm on BBC Two, with all episodes available on iPlayer from 6am. Here she talks about its return.

What can you tell us about the new series?

More of the same Mandy madness really, with perhaps less gurning but more sheer bloody violence and catastrophe. Mandy is still being forced to do jobs that she doesn’t like and isn’t any good at. Which I think everyone can relate to.

Did you think the show would run for four series?

No, It’s complete surprise to me. I think it would just be a pilot that would disappear without trace … Some viewers have reacted to it in unusual ways. I’ve heard that at least four of them have turned vegetarian after watching an episode of the last series where Mandy gets a job in an abattoir, so that’s good. Especially for cows.

What is it that keeps viewers returning?

I suppose it’s always nice, after a hard day’s work, to see someone have a worse time that you and still come through without serious mental health issues or HR getting involved.

Will Mandy ever be capable to hold down a permanent job?

I think that would ruin the whole premise of the series. If she suddenly could do a job realisably well, nothing would happen! It would just be Mandy sat at a desk.

How do you think Mandy evolved through the series?

She hasn’t evolved at all, that’s what makes her charming. She’s learned nothing. Just keeps making the same mistakes, like all of us.

Will you ever have a use for Mandy’s leopard print outfit, above?

I wear it whenever I do a big shop.

Where does the inspiration come from for the more obscure situations Mandy finds herself in?

They’re all based on absolute fact. A lot of them are inspired by things that have happened to me. I’ve had a number of jobs that I’ve been fired from. Some I haven’t even lasted an hour in. Acting’s about the only job I’ve lasted more than a week in. So I have to stick with it.

You made this series a cruelty-free production – what can you tell us about that?

We decided to use only cruelty-free make-up products that haven’t been tested on animals. We warned all the actors what we were doing and none of them had a problem with it. I think there should be a special logo at the end of the show to prove it. 

Most of the actors were amazed that some products aren’t cruelty-fee. Some, well-known brands still test on animals and most people aren’t aware of that.

Have you ever passed your driving test? If not, good luck finding a driving instructor.

No, I haven’t passed my driving test. Although I have done thousands of hours of lessons. I just don’t think I’m one of nature’s natural drivers. I’m waiting for the self-driving cars to kick in now.

Published: 15 Jul 2025