Catherine Tate is dissatisfied with how Netflix handled the cancellation of the programme she developed and starred in.
The comedian devised Hard Cell, a mockumentary set at the Essex jail HMP Woldsley that focuses on the staff and prisoners’ hardships and tribulations.
Catherine, 53, takes on many roles throughout the course of six episodes. The play, which debuted in April of last year, starred Eastenders actress Cheryl Fergison as a fictionalised version of herself and had a surprisingly emotional undertone.
The programme was cancelled after only one season, and while Catherine understands the decision, she feels the streamer might do better.
‘They had a change of staff and as happens when someone who has commissioned the show and then leaves, often they want to start afresh,’ she told the BBC Two Breakfast Show.
‘I kind of understand but it would’ve been nice for them to have told me.’
Catherine is still working on a number of fascinating projects, including a return to the Doctor Who series and another comedy series, Queen of Oz, in which she portrays a disgraced Princess Georgiana.
In the BBC comedy, the royal family has had enough of Georgie’s recent alcohol-fueled escapades and sends her to Australia to become the country’s queen in the hope that the country would not quit the Commonwealth.
In a Q&A with the main actress, she was asked if she researched anybody in particular for the role, and if she thought the release of Queen of Oz was ‘timely’ given the present political atmosphere.
She emphasised that she did not research “any member of the royal family” for the role, and that it is “an totally imaginary fabrication.”
‘It’s a piece of entertainment as well. I’m sure there’s masses of things that for royal protocol wouldn’t happen, but you have to take artistic licence and go, what works for this character? What works for this world that we’ve created?’ she explained.
‘Of course, it very possibly will look considered or something, but it absolutely isn’t.’
Queen of Oz airs on Fridays at 9.30pm on BBC One on BBC iPlayer. Hard Cell is available to stream on Netflix.
