Sally Phillips and The Hairdresser Mysteries cast and creatives tease “a cosy crime show meets the Vicar of Dibley, firing on every cylinder to make you feel good by the end”

Lily Petal, a modern-day hairdresser with an all-consuming love for everything 1970s, leaves behind her high-profile career in a trendy London salon for the charm of a small shop in a sleepy northern market town.

But Lily’s quiet life is short-lived when murders begin happening right on her doorstep. Along with her brilliant assistant Clary, the town’s nosy but well-meaning gossip Wincey, and eager Police Constable Adam, Lily is pulled into the unexpected role of amateur detective, as she discovers her hairdresser’s intuition and eye for detail make her surprisingly good at untangling clues.

Watch The Hairdresser Mysteries on iPlayer and BBC One from Friday 17 July.

thehairdressermysteries@premiercomms.com

Interviews

Sally Phillips and Charlotte Jordan (Lily Petal and Clary Combs)

What first drew you to the project and the characters of Lily Petal and Clary Combs?

Sally: It was Jim Cartwright's writing. He is an actual icon. There’s a poetry to his writing - I remember one line I said was “I gave a mammoth's trim to a hairy old shaman type.” He just has those funny bones that comes from a love of the peculiarities of humans. You don't turn down a Jim Cartwright thing in a hurry. He loves the people he writes about and for. I also think a hairdresser detective is the gift that keeps on giving – there’s an inherent comedy in the idea of hairdressers at a crime scene. But I think it makes sense, because people tend to just naturally open up when someone’s having a haircut. 

Tell us about Lily and Clary’s relationship – how do they complement each other? 

Charlotte: Lily and Clary are opposite ends of the spectrum. Lily is this wonderful, free-spirited hippie at heart whereas Clary is this studious, by-the-book person who needs some things to be exact to feel at peace. They work together in very different ways but there’s a real synergy between the two.  

Sally: We like the idea that maybe Lily’s wearing crystals in her bra and is huge into astronomy.  

Charlotte: On the other hand, Clary likes to read things that are facts and she just cannot comprehend that anyone would operate off a retrograded moon. 

Sally: Clary’s the type of person where once a man sees her, he falls completely for her which is what happens with PC Adam – which she doesn’t really notice. She doesn’t have much interest in romance, which I love because it’s very rare for a female character in their young 20s.

How is The Hairdresser Mysteries different to other crime shows?

Sally: Firstly, we're hairdressers. Our priorities are different – it’s gossip-led, not fact-led! We also don’t technically need to enforce the law upon anyone. 

Charlotte: We could keep the murderous identity to ourselves if we wished! 

Sally: Their relationship solving crimes together is less “Elementary, my dear Watson,” and much more of a two-way partnership. There’s a clear sense of teamwork; they both bring different skills and ways of seeing the world to how they uncover things.

What was it like to be immersed in a world that’s in so many ways a throwback to the 1970s?

Charlotte: I was very impressed with how retro everything felt. Our costume designer Nick Sheldon-Hadley and hair & make-up designer Kelly Forbes were brilliant. Everyone's really committed and gone for it. Lily is full retro 70s in a way that feels authentic, and with Clary her attire feels more modern with retro touches that's on trend for right now. Every costuming choice is very intentional and clever.

Do you have any favourite songs from Lily’s salon jukebox? Do you have any songs that you would personally love to add?

Sally: I’ve honestly really liked them all. In the first episode, Jim had written each scene to a song. The potential of that was really enticing because it tells you how to act as well. So, if you've got Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep playing during a conversation, there’s only really one way to perform that scene.

Charlotte: I would really like some Fleetwood Mac in there!

Why do you think that people love cozy crime so much?

Charlotte: I think people enjoy that it’s not too dark, and there’s that communal aspect of everyone at home trying to figure it out alongside us.  

Sally: It’s something that takes you on an emotional journey but ultimately you have the peace of knowing that it will be solved at the end, and everything will be well. For me, The Hairdresser Mysteries is a bit like murder sudoku by way of Jim Cartwright.

Can you tell us three things that audiences can look forward to in The Hairdresser Mysteries?

Charlotte: How uplifting and life-affirming the show is. I think the world has become a little cynical in recent years, so it’s important to have entertainment that brings people together with the aim to uplift and spark joy,even if it's a silly thing that makes you laugh – laugh at us, we welcome it!

Sally: Sunetra Sarker’s comedy chops. She's not done comedy before. She's absolutely hilarious - never misses a beat.

It’s also this mash-up of genres like a cosy crime show meets the Vicar of Dibley, but it’s truly like a televisual jukebox, firing on every cylinder to make you feel good by the end. We’ve also had a few people from Jim’s drama college in the show, who were amazing. He set it up for working class actors to help them into the industry, teach them what they need to know. Ultimately, Charlie and I just really hope that this will be something that will cheer people up when they need it most.

Ben Castle-Gibb (PC Adam Watson)

What first drew you to the project and the character of PC Adam Watson?

Adam is full of heart and ambition, which I immediately connected with. It’s that ambition and eagerness that leads him to miss some of these clues in the cases. He wants to do things by the book, and that causes him to overlook what Lily and Clary pick up. Jim Cartwright was also a huge reason for me.

He was someone whose work I read before I went to drama school, and I love this colourful world he’s created. There’s a beautiful contrast between the coldness of what are at times quite shocking crimes with the beautiful colour and variation that the residents of Blossom Vale exhibit. Every character has a real truth ingrained into them, and that’s the key to striking that balance.

How would you describe Adam’s relationship as the new officer in Blossom Vale and to Lily and Clary?

Adam is fairly new on the beat – he’s not used to dead bodies cropping up everywhere. He’s thrown into this murder mystery that he approaches timidly. Over the course of the series, we do see him emerge from his shell to become a confident, assured policeman. There is a lot of fun in the first half of the series seeing how out of his depth he is compared to Lily and Clary’s own detective skills.

Adam quickly falls for Lily’s assistant Clary, and the pair have a fun will-they, won’t they – what was it like exploring that with co-star Charlotte Jordan?

Me and Charlotte met on the first day like when we were both getting our fittings and we got on immediately. To Adam, Clary is unlike anyone else he’s ever met in his life. You could say the ultimate case for PC Adam is constantly trying to solve the case of Clary in the background to these big cases we explore every week.

There’s a fun interplay between him trying to earn his stripes as a policeman whilst also trying to impress her at the same time. The characters themselves are on such different wavelengths; he’s just trying to work her out and she continues to surprise him.

Adam’s distinctive sideburns are just one of the many examples of the show’s nostalgic 1970s tone – what was it like to be immersed in that world?

The little nods in everyone’s costumes, and even Lily’s hairdresser salon itself, is so cleverly constructed and detailed. Everything is immensely eclectic, but it just works – the wallpaper, the colour, the furniture. Our props department were so on it that they handed you something before you even knew you needed it.

What has it been like filming with the other cast members – Sally Phillips, Sunetra Sarker, Clive Rowe?

Sally Phillips is an absolute legend. I can confess on the first day I was a little intimidated because of how legendary she is. But she's got this amazing spark in her eye that just encourages you to play. She encourages you to be bold with your decisions, to just listen to how the scene is flowing and follow its tune. It’s a real talent to have that spark. It’s amazing to be able to feed off that energy. From day one, she led the project with integrity, and that enthusiasm and spark encouraged everyone to step up their game.

Why do you think people love cozy crime so much?

Because in the space of an hour you can sit around as a family, trying to figure out this mystery together, with the satisfaction of a clear, uplifting ending. It feels like the perfect genre for right now when things are so divisive. It’s like a soothing balm to the harsh realities that the world’s currently finding itself in.

Do you have any favourite songs from Lily’s salon jukebox? Do you have any songs that you would personally love to add?

It would have to be a David Bowie track. I can envision Adam walking into the salon to Rebel Rebel. 70s music has always been my jam. I grew up listening to it. My parents are heavy into David Bowie. My dog's called Ziggy. My playlist for my character Adam is just my usual playlist that I listen to. Lots of Dire Straits, Ziggy Stardust, Elton John. The 70s and 80s were both amazing eras musically.

What’s something that audiences can look forward to in The Hairdresser Mysteries?

Some incredible acting from our fantastic cast – not including myself! There will be some laughs, and there’ll even be some tears. It’s a perfect balance. Expect some red herrings and just enjoy figuring out the cases.

Sunetra Sarker (Wincey Evans)

What first drew you to the project and the character of Wincey Evans?

Ollie Kent was the series producer on Casualty with me, and he told me about the character of Wincey in this project about a hairdressing detective. I was already excited because I knew it didn't sound like anything I'd done before, and then when I read the script and could see it was Jim Cartwright, I knew it was Sally Phillips, it was a no-brainer. And then to see all the ingredients in this script, which were Jim, Sally, and Wincey being this bonkers zany town gossip, I knew where to find that character in me.

Jim's writing has got this cosy warmth to it that makes you feel safe but has a certain poetry to it with his phrases that make you go “that sounds natural even coming from my own voice”. Jim has this innate understanding of how to write for women. It's one of the things I've noticed when I went through the scripts – what I love is that the women seem oblivious to men, but all the men seem completely besotted with women.

Every woman in this show is such a confident character, living without having to have a man back home or indoors. It feels like we’re doing the girl power version of the 70s. I was born in the 70s so I'm loving the fact that we've got this retro element to the show. What’s great is we have a whole new generation embracing the 70s. There’s a real revival happening.

How would you describe the tone of The Hairdresser Mysteries?

It’s certainly not your typical show! It has different ingredients – you’ve got the seventies, the hairdressing, the theme of girl power running through it. It’s a funny show in obvious ways but also quite subtle ways. And then we've got murder, which is the most serious thing you could ever be faced with. So, when you put them all in the pot, I think we’ve created quite an eccentric show.

How do people perceive Wincey Evans in the town of Blossom Vale?

Everybody knows a Wincey in their life. She’s the annoying person in the crowd who people wish, “Please don't let me be stuck in a lift with Wincey.” However, they also know she's the perfect person to get all their information from. And if she does have some intel or some gossip, she's real value. 

How different is Wincey from other characters you’ve played in the past?

This character is the furthest away from anything else I’ve played which was the biggest draw for me. I’ve never done comedy before, but I think when you've grown up watching comedies and loving comedies, some of it just seeps in. To me, Wincey is an amalgamation of so many different people that I've loved over the years and friends of mine. I've channeled them all and I've brought all those funny bones from them and tried to put it into Wincey.

What has it been like filming with the other cast members – Sally Phillips, Ben Castle-Gibb, Clive Rowe?

I've wanted to work with Sally for years. When I watched her in Veep many years ago, I remember thinking, “gosh, wouldn't it be great to work with somebody like Sally?” Now I’m working with her, it feels a bit like a dream. I think one of the best qualities we forget to talk about as actors is meeting new people, especially new young talents that are coming through the ranks.

I’ve got such a soft spot for Charlie. She’s hilarious, and she gives these little looks during scenes that I’ll catch and just think “they're so clever.” Ben is just so lovable in every way – such an easy-going guy and so adaptable to the way we're all working. His character PC Adam and Wincey have a fun camaraderie going on. 

What’s something that audiences can look forward to in The Hairdresser Mysteries?

The audience will be giggling along with us at times and there'll be a twinkle in their eye when they see the level of murders that are being committed in this one town in the middle of the Northwest, which is fun in itself. Cosy is really the perfect word for this show because it feels like a warm hug.

Guy Henry (Race Runard)

What first drew you to the project and the character of Race Runard?

Oliver Kent, the executive producer, worked on Holby City, which I was also on as Henrik Hansen, the director of surgery. Lynn Grant was also the line producer, and I saw that she mentioned she was doing a new show with Ollie, so I contacted him and asked if there might be something I could slip into.

A couple of weeks later, the character of Race Runard came across my desk.I think these characters are amazing. Jim Cartwright’s dialogue has its own ring. It almost has its own vernacular. Jim's as big a star as anybody in this production.

What has it been like filming with the other cast members – Sally Phillips, Charlotte Jordan, Ben Castle-Gibb, Sunetra Sarker?

Sally leads it brilliantly. She had to jump right in, and as our leader, she sets the tone for the rest of us. But truthfully, all of the cast are fantastic. There's a whole range of wonderful character actors out there. Adrian Hood, who plays Stan – great big mountain of a man is effortlessly sweet and so funny. I love them all.

Do you have any favourite songs from Lily’s salon jukebox? Do you have any songs that you would personally love to add?

I think I would add a few 60s hits. Make Your Own Kind of Music by Mama Cass, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. I could go on and on!

What’s something that audiences can look forward to in The Hairdresser Mysteries?

The touching quality of these characters through the tone and the humour of the show. There aren’t many shows where you can watch a Viking fish and chip shop owner fall in love with a southern belle from the United States. It’s all so charming.

Will Trotter and Oliver Kent (Executive Producers)

Tell us about how The Hairdresser Mysteries originated – how did the project develop from early discussions?

Will: 20 years ago, I was making TV films for the BBC, one of which was Johnny Shakespeare by Jim Cartwright. We got on famously; I'm Northern, he's Northern. I’ve worked in cosy crime for a while with Father Brown and The Sister Boniface Mysteries, and I wanted to break the mould to create a new style of cosy crime. I immediately thought Jim’s unique voice and his colourful characters would be a rich world for a new style of cosy crime.

I had spoken to him a decade prior about a TV project and he declined, which I understood because he’s a playwright by nature. But I got back in touch with him around two years ago, both of us discussing how we’d love to work together. I spoke to him about the success Father Brown and The Sister Boniface Mysteries were receiving and asked him to have a think about what world he might want to create – that revealed itself to be a hairdresser. 

What were your first impressions of the world and characters Jim had created?

Ollie: Jim's real specialty is writing character, and he writes character better than any writer I've ever met. He could write two old farts sitting on a bench talking for half an hour and it would be beautiful. What’s been interesting has been seeing Jim suture together the intricately fine plotting with his fully realized characters in that distinctive voice. We have that play-along element for the audience at home while still having those beautiful character moments. Tonally, it's like no other show I think I've ever seen in the best way.

Tell us about the casting process – what made Sally Phillips the perfect Lily Petal?

Ollie: Sally is perfect for Lily because she has incredible comic timing. She radiates niceness and warmth. She has such enormous respect for the writing process and Jim in particular. Marrying her with his voice through this unexpectedly brilliant Yorkshire accent that she pulled out of her hat is extraordinary.

What do the rest of the cast, Charlotte Jordan, Ben Castle-Gibb, Sunetra Sarker, bring to their characters – is it like watching them walk off the page and come to life?

Ollie: It's a real pinch me moment. Everyone imagines it, but there's a different version in everyone's head until you arrive on set and see what it looks like. That first glimpse is magical. There's really nothing in the world like it. 

Will: When we walked on the hairdresser salon set, you feel transported to this other world. Jim’s writing creates this heightened world, combined with the nostalgia of the 70s aesthetic and its music, all encased in crime stories. It’s the furthest thing from an Agatha Christie – The Hairdresser Mysteries makes you feel warm, nostalgic and excited. It makes you feel more alive!

What is it about the world of The Hairdresser Mysteries and the characters of the village you think will appeal to audiences most?

Ollie: I think that's one of the interesting elements for the character – we’ve all had to remind ourselves at points that Lily is a hairdresser, not a detective. For us it was crucial that she always felt true to that world. That means she will make decisions that a detective wouldn't do. So, there are some completely mad moments where Lily puts herself in incredible danger. She's nearly always right, but she will run into a burning building when she shouldn’t because of that inherent hairdresser spidey sense. 

Will: It’s that innate knowledge of people that hairdressers have, an almost unseen skill. People go into a hairdresser and tell them all about their love lives and affairs, then the next person who sits in the chair is the person they're having an affair with!

Ollie: The audience will also be surprised by the lovely Sunetra Sarker who plays town gossip Wincey Evans. People will know her from Casualty, Ackley Bridge, but I think this is the first role she's played where she's been allowed to be so incredibly funny. We called her Ocean's Eleven because she stole every scene she was in.

Do you have any songs you would love to add to Lily’s salon jukebox?

Will: I was brought up on bubble-gum pop as a child, so to me, it was important not just to put the cool stuff in. It’s about what was resonant to you at the time, and what your mum would have been singing, and your mates at school would have been dancing to, and that's a joy.

Ollie: I probably would have more Bee Gees. 

Can you tell us 3 things that audiences can look forward to in The Hairdresser Mysteries?

Ollie: One of the things that the audience can look forward to is lots of singing and dancing in every episode. They can also play along with each episode’s crime and work out the logic of that. If they can work it out faster than their best friends, better. If they get it wrong, even better. Ultimately, it’s a show for everyone, which makes the BBC the perfect place to play it.

Jermain Julien (Director Episode 1 and 3)

Tell us about The Hairdresser Mysteries and what drew you to the project.

I was keen to work with Ollie Kent, our executive producer, again after Holby City and Casualty. When he mentioned there might be an opportunity for us to work together, I jumped at it. When he mentioned it was a Jim Cartwright project, I knew it was going to be something special.

What were your first impressions of the world Jim had created in the scripts?

Jim’s writing is unique in tone through the way his language flows. Respecting that text and understanding how he wanted it to be delivered whilst putting my fingerprint on it at the same time was key. Before we started, I had a long conversation with Jim about his vision for the show and communicated how I saw the world, and also the energy I was looking to imbue into the scripts.

Lily and Clary have quite a strong Sherlock-and-Watson dynamic, how did you work with Sally and Charlotte to bring that to life?

The joy of working with Sally and Charlie is that at our first read-through, they sat together and we could just see the energy sparking off of them immediately. They have a mutual strong sense of trust in one another, playing on this master-and-pupil dynamic but that’s elevated by this shared knowledge. We never play it as though one is smarter than the other – they both have their areas of expertise.

How did you go about balancing the fun, uplifting spirit of the characters alongside the, at times, quite dark murder cases Lily and her team are attempting to solve?

There’s an interesting tonal dance at the heart of this show. We’re dealing with murders, but through the lens of hairdressers who are known for their gentler energy. That allowed me to go darker in certain beats, knowing we had that levity to pull us back out again. After all, we’re not trying to give anyone nightmares! 

How is The Hairdresser Mysteries different from other crime shows?

The hairdresser at the heart of it all. I'm blessed with having grown up in hair salons. My mum was a hairdresser; my auntie was a hairdresser – she actually did Boney M’s hair. That allowed me to understand how important a good haircut means to someone. My conversations with Sally to communicate with Sally is the energy of knowing that you have that skill set, that you can change someone's life, you can change someone's weekend, you can change someone's energy by giving them a really good haircut. Once you’ve made that connection, then who knows what they might tell you. They might even confess to something you wouldn’t expect. 

Why do you think people love cozy crime so much?

I think us Brits do cosy crime better than anyone else in the world. It’s a uniquely British thing because we're not trying to scare everybody. It's appointment viewing television where whole families can all sit and watch it together trying to uncover the killer. Is it the most famous actor? Is it the least famous actor? It’s like televisual Cluedo.