‘Hard Cell’: Catherine Tate Prison Comedy Gets April Premiere On Netflix
‘Hard Cell‘, a brand new prison comedy, created and written by Catherine Tate, who also stars in multiple roles, has landed an April premiere date on Netflix the streaming service has announced.
‘Hard Cell’ is a documentary-style comedy set in the fictional female prison, HMP Woldsley. Tate plays multiple characters from Laura Willis, the Governor who believes creativity leads to rehabilitation, to Big Viv, the psychopath lifer. Set over a 6 week period during which the inmates rehearse a musical directed by ex-Eastender’s star Cheryl Fergison. Rehearsals draw together an oddball collection of women as they find their voices, grow in confidence and strengthen their friendships. Funny yet surprisingly moving, Hard Cell leans into the comical truth of prison life.
The characters played by Catherine Tate include:
- LAURA – HMP Woldsley’s governor. A self-styled prison reformer convinced staging musicals will provide a platform for her belief that creativity leads to rehabilitation. Her detractors would describe her as a ‘bleeding heart liberal in kitten heels’, a description she wouldn’t hate.
- ROS – a popular, bouncy inmate who idolises her mother. Loves her prison wife Suds, pretends to love her penpal boyfriend Sebastian but is in fact, rinsing him for all he’s worth. What? It’s not her fault that people are so trusting.
- ANGE – a timid first-timer. An innocent, struggling to adapt to her new environment, her meekness making her easy prey. But she lives by her mantra “People are inherently good” and despite her misfortune, she overcomes her fears, settles in and even finds her prison walk.
- BIG VIV – terrifying, feared by inmates and prisoners alike. Violent, unpredictable and singing is her happy place – everything you’d want in a cellmate. A devoted fan of the Kardashians, with whom she identifies deeply, Vivienne develops a passion for theatre as she becomes involved with the musical.
- MARCO – a guard from Essex. He got down to the last 32 on Love Island so he’s got nothing to prove. More committed to his appearance than his job, which he only took because he can get to work without changing tubes.
- ANNE MARIE – Ros’ mother. A tough, mean, ex-con, who visits her daughter whenever she has run out of money. Contemptuous and scathing, she takes full advantage of her daughter’s unconditional love.
Alongside Tate, the series stars Christian Brassington (‘Suspects’, ‘Poldark’), Niky Wardley (‘The Catherine Tate Show’), Cheryl Fergison (‘EastEnders’), Lorna Brown (‘Devils’), Caroline Harding (‘Coronation Street’, ‘Doctors’), Jola Olajide (‘The Power’), and Duncan Wisbey (‘The Hive’, ‘Close to the Enemy’).
Catherine Tate is the creator, writer and star of the series, with the creative team of Niky Wardley and Alex Carter. Kristian Smith is executive producer, with Leopard Pictures as the production company.
‘Hard Cell‘ Season 1 premieres Tuesday, 12th April 2022 on Netflix UK and worldwide.
