The must-watch BBC series is premiering on 8 July
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY BBC/VARIOUS ARTISTS LIMITED/ROBERT VIGLASKY
Michelle de Swarte (The Baby) is a comedian, actor, writer and former model who has garnered fans for the candid and authentic way she carries herself and the way that intertwines with her work in various forms. In her standup, the bisexual comic is no stranger when it comes to taking shorts at her previous life on the modelling scene. In one routine she talks about missing having pretty privilege when it comes to skipping nightclub queues: “I reached 35 and realised I had to work on my personality.”
And in her upcoming semi-autobiographical BBC series (starred in and penned by Michelle), we watch her portray Mia, a former catwalk model grappling with the reality that her career is over. She’s broke and homeless. As well as taking the look of someone who’s had and lost it all, the show also explores themes such as family, mental health and class. It’s a powerful watch that both provides hearty laughter and gut-punching emotional scenes.
DIVA: How are you feeling in the lead-up to the release of Spent?
Michelle: I feel nervous, at times calm, excited, indifferent, sort of a mix of everything. You know that kind of feeling when you think it’s a really good idea to throw a birthday party? And then you start thinking oh god I hope people turn up.
How would you tease the show in three words?
I would say funny, messy, heartwarming.
The show follows Mia’s highs and lows in the lead-up to turning 40. Now that you’ve entered this chapter of your life, what would you say this has been like?
The 40s are a massive relief. Every time I’ve left a decade there’s been a bit of trepidation like, “Oh my god, what does it mean?” And then as I’ve entered that next decade I’ve always just felt massively relieved like “Fucking hell, I’ve made it!” Not like I’ve made it I’m successful! I mean phew I’ve made it.
The 30s are like the teenage years of adulthood, and in the 40s you’ve got your mates, and you know who you are, and you accept your flaws and you just feel more grounded. Everyone says that and when you hear them saying it you’re just like “uh whatever”. But it’s true.
I found the way that the show explores mental health to be really powerful. It wasn’t sugarcoated at all. Why was it important to you?
Now that we’re a lot more open about the struggles we all have, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t got some experience with having a relationship where either they themselves are struggling or the people around them. The dynamics of those relationships can be really trying. If you see some examples of it onscreen, and especially in terms of parents, yeah that’s something I thought was important.
Spent airs on 8 July on BBC Two and Player.
Want to read more from Michelle? Keep your eyes peeled for our August/September issue which goes on sale on 26 July 2024.
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