Interviews with the cast and crew
Interviews with the cast and director of five by five.
Published: 21 March 2017
Georgina Campbell (Chloe)
Why should people watch five by five?
It’s an exciting new story, and an exciting new way of telling a story. It’s five short vignettes of different people from very different backgrounds, living their lives and making choices and seeing how those stories interconnect. It’s really exciting.
What five words would you use to describe Chloe?
Resilient, skittish, weird, romantic and dramatic.
Michael Ajao (Ash)
What was it like to work with Idris Elba?
Working with Idris Elba was just wicked. He’s such a beaut, and such a powerful man, and he has the balance between being laid back and being a professional. It’s something a lot of us wish we could have, but he’s one of those that makes sure every single person on set is treated the same. He really spends time with all of the people present, and when he was working with me it was nice that this guy cared about where I was coming from - asking me how my day was, even having a few laughs. And then finding out he supported Arsenal was the cherry on the cake, man - it was just brilliant! He was so nice to work with.
What five words would you use to describe Ash?
Empathetic, vulnerable, bold, warm, and cuddly-bear.
Ben Tavassoli (Lucas)
What made you want to be involved?
It was the writing, first and foremost. It struck me from the first audition that it was really well written series, and I enjoyed the audition so much.
What five words would you use to describe Lucas?
Idiot, lothario, casanova, clumsy, laid-back.
Ruth Madeley (Janine)
Were there any funny moments on set?
I left my fake drugs in the disabled toilet by accident! The cleaning lady found them, and I don’t think she believed me that I wasn’t a genuine heroin addict. I told her “It’s ginger! It’s ginger, really!” but she wasn’t having any of it and told me to “Take my drugs and go”!
What made you want to be involved in five by five?
Working with BBC Three again was a big thing for me. Also working with the other guys that I knew were involved, and I was very very passionate about working with a female director.
What five words would you use to describe Janine?
I would say she’s quick-witted, opportunistic, independent, trouble and sensitive.
Sope Dirisu (Michael)
Why should people watch five by five?
It’s going to be the best show on TV this year. I believe in the medium of short film. It’s succinct and to the point and it’s a great story that you can digest either in small pieces, or as one not very large piece. I think people should watch five by five also because it’s a real representation of the demographic of BBC Three. The story will really speak to young people and there’s also plenty for the older generations to learn. five by five can go a long way to repairing the relationship between the age split in this country. It’s also going to be really entertaining, really good fun, and the diversity of both the production team and the cast represents the cosmopolitan city in which we live.
What five words would you use to describe Michael?
Driven, pedantic, facetious, well-intentioned, yet heavy-handed.
Kate Herron, Director
What attracted you to five by five?
I loved how every story twisted and turned and challenged you to face your own prejudices and perceptions. As a Londoner so often we don't get to see our city represented on screen and these films excite me as they are showing the real London I grew up in.
Coming from a background in short films it was my first TV directing job, and as the first director hired by Idris’ company for a narrative fiction project I was incredibly excited! Working with Green Door Pictures, Cat Jones, the BBC and such a talented cast including Idris was a dream project. I had to keep reminding myself it was really happening.
Working with Idris was a fantastic experience. He’s very creative and collaborative and I found it so inspiring that no matter what level you reach, good creative work is still a team/group effort.
What five words would you use to describe five by five?
Thought-provoking, challenging, entertaining, funny and real.
Cat Jones, Lead Writer
Why should people watch five by five?
It’s an entertaining watch first of all - it’s really surprising, you don’t expect the stories to go in the direction they’re going in. We’re living in odd times, often mean-spirited times, and it’s a good time for people to ask themselves the question that I think all the characters in this show ask themselves: Which version of myself do I want to be, and how do I want to relate to other people?
What five words would you use to describe five by five?
Ambitious - as it’s harder than it looks to do five free-standing films which are connected. Also: distinctive, subversive, entertaining and uplifting. And can I have one more? Because it’s also optimistic.
