When Kerry Godliman got the call from her agent for a brand new role in controversial Channel 4 drama Adult Material, she had to take a breath.
She has starred in some of TV’s best comedy dramas thanks to her famous friend Ricky Gervais. Like us, you’ve probably wobbled and wept while watching her play Lisa, Ricky’s on-screen late wife, in Netflix hit After Life, and she’s also worked alongside Ricky in Derek , Extras and Life’s Too Short.
Then there was the BBC sitcom Bad Move with the famously dour Jack Dee. But none of these roles have been particularly glamorous.
So when Kerry, 46, was asked if she’d like to audition for a new TV show all about pornography, you can understand why she might have hesitated for a second.
‘My agent said to me, “Kerry, stay with me, hear me out, I think you’re going to like it,”’ she giggles on the phone. ‘And actually, she was right.’
While Kerry’s part didn’t involve her having to get in any awkward positions dressed in PVC and brandishing banana-shaped props, she says she loved being involved in a drama exploring behind-the-scenes of the sex movie industry, one we don’t usually hear much about.
Kerry, who is married to actor Ben Abell and has two children, Elsie, 13, and Frank, 10, dishes the dirt.
So tell us what drew you to the outrageously filthy and highly sexualised drama Adult Material ?
Well, it’s a bit of a shocker, isn’t it?! I’d not really read a script like it before. Or seen anything close to it. It’s quite an unusual casting for me, but that’s why it was so exciting. It’s not just about porn, it’s about morals, equality, relationships and politics.
It’s pretty racy in parts – did that put you off at all?
Thankfully, my character didn’t have anything to do with the porn scenes. From early doors in the audition process, it was made clear that my character didn’t participate in any porn.
But I’m not a prude. I found it really interesting. In fact, I think there’s a real absence of conversation about the adult sex film industry. Which is odd when porn is so prevalent. Everyone’s watching it apparently…
Your wardrobe is very ordinary compared with your co-stars’. Did you feel shortchanged?
Far from it! My character Stella Maitland is an MP and a lawyer, so I’m all about sleek suits from Whistles – which were very nice – and big earrings. My costume designer upped my jewellery game.
It gave my character power along with the sharp suits. I also got to wear the most amazing brogues. As late actress Beryl Reid used to say, when you’re creating the character, start with the shoes up. Those shoes summed up Stella for me. It was just a pity I didn’t get to keep them!
I sometimes saw stuff in the wardrobe department like a random gimp costume hanging on a rail… And no, I didn’t try it on! There was never enough talcum powder nearby to help me ease my way into it!
You have your first ever lesbian kissing scene. How was that?
It was funny! Hayley, the actress, was always trying to snog me! That’s how her character expressed her gratitude or affection, by giving away a freebie. I’d always be saying, ‘Get off me!’ It wasn’t the least bit sexual or erotic. My character was there to help her and save her.
You’re often cast in maternal, caring roles (Our Girl , Derek). Do they appeal to you?
Well, in truth, there are only two real roles for a woman to play – the femme fatale or the maternal one. I usually play various versions of the latter. I don’t know whether it’s to do with the way I look or sound, but that’s how I’m usually cast.
You’ve worked a lot with Ricky Gervais over the years. Are you two good mates?
Very much, yeah. I mean, it’s almost comical to think of him as a ‘work mate’, because it doesn’t feel like work when you’re with Ricky. He’s very playful and natural, so you usually get the scene in the first take or two. It’s a dream working with him. And he’s brilliant company.
Would you follow him to LA?
There have been moments when I’ve thought about it. I did go to LA to work on a film called Mascots with Christopher Guest about five years ago. It gave me a little taste of it.
If you want that life, though, you’ve got to push it. You can’t be half-arsed about it. Thing is, I’ve got kids in school who are very happy. There’s no way I’d give up what I’ve worked hard for here to start all over again.
You were on the stand-up circuit for 10 years before breaking into TV. What was your ‘I’ve made it’ moment?
My friend went over to New York to watch Fleetwood Mac play last year. She sent me an absolutely hilarious photograph of her standing in Times Square pointing up at a massive poster of me in an advert for After Life. When I saw it I squealed because I just couldn’t get my head around it.
And you’ve got a new stand-up tour…
I was four dates into the tour when lockdown happened. It got pushed back to autumn and now that’s obviously not happening. So it’s scheduled for May 2021, but we’ll see. Meanwhile, I’ve been doing gigs on Zoom.
It’s pretty awful, though! It’s like going back to my open mic nights where you’re performing to three people and you can’t hear anyone laughing. When you’re alone in a room, shouting at a webcam, it can feel like an existential crisis.
How have you found lockdown?
There were moments that were lovely, if I’m honest. I’m lucky that my family were well and healthy. The days when I was making sourdough and connecting with my kids were brilliant. Obviously there were times when it was awful.
I’d sometimes get anxious and feel like I was on the Titanic and I didn’t know what was going to happen.
How was home schooling?
I have two kids, and if you’d told me at the start of lockdown that they weren’t going back to school until September, I think I would have had a breakdown. It was hard.
I hope our government does everything in its power to keep the schools open now, because I did feel like the children were literally abandoned. Closing the schools and having the pub and Primark open seemed mental to me.
What helped you get through lockdown?
My allotment. It’s a place I could escape to, but also where I could grow vegetables and salad. I’m not a tranquil gardener. I rip out weeds and shout at slugs.
It’s like it’s my therapy. I also got into wild swimming during lockdown. I like to swim in a local river. But I’m not telling you where! It was such a beautiful spot, I don’t want to ruin it.
You’ve taken up another new hobby as a professional podcaster…
Yes! It’s been a new project of mine. I’ve made about 10 episodes of Memory Lane , starring Sarah Millican, Romesh Ranganathan, Lennie James and others.
They all talk through about five old or new photos of themselves. It’s basically a route into having a conversation. We end up talking about anything from relationships to 1970s patterned carpets. It’s great!