The woman’s who’s addicted to everything: Sheridan Smith on why we’ll be rooting for Rosie Molloy, the drunk who turns over a new leaf in her dark new comedy
- The stars of Two Pints Of Larger And A Packet Of Crisps have re-aligned
- The new dark Comedy Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything airs on Sky Comedy
- Rosie is a vibrant Mancunian accountant who is struggling with addictions
- Read more: Sheridan Smith on MailOnline
Just over 20 years ago, a teenage Sheridan Smith was cast in a new BBC sitcom from unknown screenwriter Susan Nickson. Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps – about a group of twentysomethings struggling with adulthood that also starred Strictly’s Will Mellor – was a big hit that lasted ten years and launched the careers of both women.
Now the stars have re-aligned and the pair are back together for Sky’s dark new comedy Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything. It’s a wickedly funny take on addiction with a bravura turn from Sheridan at its heart.
She was 19 when Two Pints started and now, at 41, she says she and Susan ‘have kind of grown up together. So all these years later I’m back playing her Rosie.
‘She writes so honestly, tackling a difficult subject from the heart, but she can make it relatable and understands how to find the humour in it.’
Sheridan Smith (pictured) and the cast of Two Pints Of Larger And A Packet Of Crisps have re-aligned for the new dark comedy on Sky Comedy, Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything
Rosie is a vibrant Mancunian accountant who’s out of control – her addictions to alcohol, recreational drugs and sex are destroying her health, relationships and career. As the series opens her most recent transgression was to ruin the alcohol-free wedding of her brother Joey (Lewis Reeves) by getting drunk and high and ending up in hospital after a blackout.
Rosie may be a whirlwind of chaos, but in the hands of Susan and Sheridan she’s also hilarious, with razor-sharp lines and bags of charisma. ‘She’s one of the funniest characters I’ve ever played,’ says Sheridan.
‘She’s got a huge heart, but she gets addicted to everything. I think everybody will know a Rosie or have something in common with Rosie, or even be like a Rosie, so I think viewers will really relate to her.’
Susan sees Rosie Molloy as the natural evolution of the Two Pints characters. ‘Back then ladette culture was very much glamourised.
‘It was cool to be able to drink five pints if you could afford it. Rosie is the product of that culture.’
The six-part series explores Rosie’s dawning realisation that she may need to give up her party lifestyle, and Susan reveals it was inspired by women she knew on social media turning to drink to cope during the pandemic.
There’s another reunion among the Rosie Molloy cast too, as Father Ted stars Ardal O’Hanlon and Pauline McLynn (pictured) appear on screen together for the first time in 25 years as Rosie’s dad and mum
‘There were an awful lot of posts from women of my age, people who I used to go to school with, saying, “It’s wine o’clock” or “It’s gin o’clock”,’ she recalls. ‘For me, that was flagrant substance misuse.’
Rosie’s journey sees her end up in numerous chaotic situations, which sometimes spilled over into real life. In one scene she necks a bottle of wine, but the crew inadvertently filled it all the way up instead of just putting in a bit. ‘The scene started and the crew thought I was going to say, “Cut! I can’t drink all that,”’ recalls Sheridan.
‘I didn’t, so I necked this whole bottle of fake wine in one take. When I finished I had to deliver the line, “I’m good thanks!” all bloated like a balloon.
‘I could hardly breathe. Afterwards the crew gave me a round of applause, but I felt so sick I couldn’t even eat my lunch.’
There’s another reunion among the Rosie Molloy cast too, as Father Ted stars Ardal O’Hanlon and Pauline McLynn appear on screen together for the first time in 25 years as Rosie’s dad and mum, Conall and Win. They’re loving parents, but there’s trouble on the horizon, as Conall is seriously ill.
Ardal O’Hanlon plays Rosie’s father Conall who is seriously ill. Conall and Win play it down do as not to upset Rosie
‘Conall and Win are playing it down because they don’t want to upset Rosie, who’s the apple of their eye,’ says Ardal, 57. He says being cast opposite Pauline was a pleasant surprise.
‘There probably was an element of mischief in reuniting two people from such a popular show, but I think we made a convincing married couple because we know each other so well.’
Ultimately, Sheridan hopes Rosie Molloy will deliver a warm message about one woman’s struggle with addiction. ‘It’s very funny but there are moments of pathos,’ she says.
‘Rosie gets herself in the most ridiculous situations, but you just want her to get well. There’s an amazing balance between laugh-out-loud moments and moments that will make you think… and perhaps cry.’
- Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything, Wednesday, 10pm, Sky Comedy.
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