The Making of
Our TV Show Inspired by Haringey, Low-Paid Jobs, and Sitcoms
Inspired by the raw energy of The London Borough of Haringey, the struggle of low-paid jobs, and the nostalgia of classic TV sitcoms, we wanted to create something that reflected the messy, unpredictable nature of human existence—wrapped up in the familiar structure of a TV program. At the time, we were living paycheck to paycheck, and we embraced that lo-fi aesthetic as a way of capturing a reality that felt real, gritty, and, in a way, just like us.
The characters in our show are made from dolls that are literally on their last legs—chewing gum, clay, and recycled rubbish. We animate them against a greenscreen backdrop, then insert local landmarks from Haringey (especially Tottenham High Road) and the ASDA supermarket where they work. The whole setup feels homemade and imperfect, but it’s exactly that imperfection we love.
The script, written by Will Stuart, is sharp and deliberately crafted. Each episode begins with the backstory of the characters, who were once human. They meet a mysterious wizard-like figure on the internet who grants them a single wish, forcing them to choose between becoming a man, an animal, or a baby. The question is, why these three options?
For me, as a woman, thinking about how to escape patriarchal structures of gender, these three choices seemed to offer possible solutions. You could try to mimic men and claim power by becoming like them. Alternatively, you could return to the beginning, to a time before gender roles were set, by becoming a baby and dreaming of how things could be different. Or, you could step outside of human reality altogether and become an animal—part of nature.
But in the end, none of these options work. And so, the characters are left with no choice but to create a new species altogether. This reflects my ongoing exploration of feminism, patriarchy, and how these structures don’t truly benefit either men or women. Instead, they serve the pursuit of profit—eventually leading humanity to Mars!
Will Stuart and I have dedicated the last four years to bringing this show to life. We’ve completed two series and are currently working on the third. Stay tuned for more!