Interview with Tanya Moodie (Joy)

What was your initial reaction to Bridget’s vision for series two?
I was just really thrilled for her that it was recommissioned and that she got a chance to continue Linda’s journey, explore these characters and bring these fantastic actors together again, because it’s never a given that you get a chance to revisit these worlds and write for them again.

Joy’s character is a powerful voice for women’s empowerment and equality. How important do you think it is to have characters like Joy who speak out so boldly? 

If Joy is a cipher in any way for any kind of principled or moralistic standpoint, for me, I think that the most important thing is that it's a comedy, and comedy in itself, and bringing laughter to the people, is a salve, because it has healing power. Any time that I've done comedy, and any time that people have reached out to me about it and the effect it's had on them in a positive way, they normally say that “What I really needed in that a particular period of time in my life was to laugh. I really needed to have some levity and some healing through laughter.” But I don't think that it's of primary importance to have characters that also have to be a voice for any sort of social principles, and I wouldn't say that that makes any sort of character or stories any more valuable than ones that are just pure comedy, because laughter itself is hugely powerful and hugely healing. Anything that brings you joy can also bring you peace and healing. 

Linda’s message about women having an identity outside of motherhood and wifehood is central to series two. Why do you think this is an important message to portray?
It’s a fact. And I am laughing because there seems to be a school of thought that says that women can’t be anything outside of being a mother or being a wife. But it’s a fact.

What has been your personal highlight or favourite scene from series two? 

My highlight of series two is mainly dynamics that Joy wasn't actually directly involved with. It’s when Linda's explained to the women of the community about keeping this ledger and recording everything she's been doing in her marriage; how long it's taken, how it's a toll that she's got to pay, that women have to pay this weight of this extra work that they women do. So subsequently she’s followed around by lots of local women saying, “What about this? Does this count?” And just some of the things they say are just absolutely hilarious. It puts a pressure on Linda to say, “Look, I'm not the grand arbiter of what is going on in your relationships. You decide yourself.” I found that really funny, when we were reading that during the read-through, I laughed a lot at that.

Would you be friends with Joy if you met her?
I don’t think she would want to be friends with me, I don’t think our paths would cross, she enjoys being near the forest whereas I am more urban inclined.

If you could give Joy any advice for series two, what would it be? 
Any advice for Joy? I don’t think Joy needs any advice; I wish Joy would give me advice. I don’t think ever Joy needs anyone’s advice quite frankly. I would be going to Joy for advice.

After watching series two, what do you hope viewers will take away from it?
Relax, get a nice cup of tea, get some biscuits. Put your feet up, watch series two of The Change, have a good laugh and have a good night’s sleep afterwards.