Interview with Harriet Webb (Shannon)

In the series three opener, you fall on the beach in Greece. How many takes were required? 

[Laughs] You’re not going to believe it, but it was the last thing we shot on the first day. We had about 30 seconds to shoot it. Obviously, because of resets, because of the sand, we knew it was only going to be a few takes. I think that’s the only take. They buried this huge crash mat in the sand, so it was this bouncy sand thing. We laughed a lot, and I ate a lot of sand.

How are you feeling about letting go of everybody’s favourite cousin, Shannon?

Jack’s written the most amazing series. I didn’t think it was possible to love it more than I already did after series two. I feel like series three is even better, funnier, sadder. I am sad, I’m not going to lie about it; I am gutted that it’s come to a close. But I’m so proud of what we’ve made. I think people will feel it’s the right thing, and Jack has wrapped it up so beautifully and carefully. It’s my favourite job to revisit every year, my favourite people. I’m going to miss Shan.

Actors often say they take parts of a character away with them. What have you learnt from playing Shannon? 

She’s not afraid and I think that’s something I will definitely try to live by a little bit. She’s not afraid of anything, of failing. She doesn’t see why she would, or what the problem would be even if she did. I can be – like we all can be – a worrier or second-guess myself. That self-belief, that absolute, unapologetic self-belief – you should, why not? She’s brave, and she is aspirational. She’s just joie de vivre.

Shannon has had quite the trajectory. What can you tell me about the romance between Shannon and Tariq (played by Shane Zaza)? 

Things moved very fast for them. There’s a bit of starting over. Whether they actually want to be together or not – we go with them on that journey. For Shan, it’s not a done deal. It’s like, ‘We had a baby together but let’s see.’ There is a bit of a will-they-won’t-they through the series. 

Going back to filming in Malta, director Jim said the cast got to shoot their scenes and then have a dip in the pool. 

It was one of the happiest weeks of my life. It was so hot though. As you can see, I’ve got short hair. Shannon’s got a lot of clip-ins. My poor makeup artist had quite a job keeping things on my face. But yeah, we were in the pool as much as possible. I will say as well, there was definitely a day where I turned up for a scene in my wet swimming costume [laughs].

Did you pinch any props from set as a memento?

There’s a missing kaftan, mate. Shan had so many outrageous kaftans, so many weren’t even seen. There was like a wall of kaftans. I thought, am I a kaftan person? This is what happens when I play Shannon. By the end I’m like, I think this is me. Have I worn them? No. But in my mind, there will be a day when I’m lounging, making brunch, in a kaftan. What else… a couple of the fluffy hairbands because, why not? 

Can you share a memorable behind-the-scenes moment?

There have been so many. Silly things, like being in the easy-ups behind set. This was in series two – Izuka was making me laugh, and I leaned backwards, and my camping chair started to head backwards into the back wall of the easy-up, which was starting to come down with me. But the whole time I was making complete eye contact with Izuka [laughs].

This series there was the most incredible moment that will be etched on my brain for ever. We’d finished in Malta, it was the last shot on the last day, and Jon and I had gone down to the beach. It was nighttime, people were still working, and slowly they were filtering down to the beach. We were having cocktails, and cheers-ing each other. Then out of nowhere this enormous fireworks display went off. Jon just ripped his top off and ran into the sea. It was so euphoric. 

Jack has spoken before about wanting to celebrate the women in his life, specifically working-class women, in a rich, warm, loving way. Is that a rare thing to find in scripts these days?

Definitely. The difference I see now from when I started; I often would play these characters, but they would be the butt of the joke, not in on the joke. There would be fat jokes, and food jokes, and that’s kind of what they were there for. I love what Jack has done with Shannon. It is written with such love, all of the girls. For him to be able to write those voices is extraordinary. He always has this joke that Dylan thinks he’s playing him, but actually I’m playing him [laughs]. I know there’s a huge amount of himself in Shannon as well.