Sarah Alexander
Me and Mrs Jones sees the primetime comedy return of Sarah Alexander, one of the British comedy circuit’s most underrated actors.
Me and Mrs Jones sees Sarah return as Gemma, a newly single mother who suddenly becomes the centre of a love triangle, with both Tom, another single parent and Billy, her eldest son’s best friend.
It’s the latest role for Sarah, who’s been a large factor in British comedy for over the best part of 15 years, following her first major TV appearances on the sketch show Smith and Jones.
Sarah really came to prominence as a part of the fantastically odd Smack The Pony, showing off her hugely accomplished comedy chops throughout.
She then became a part of the BBC’s biggest comedy at the time Coupling. Basically a ruder, British version of Friends, the show was a massive success. Created and written by Steven Moffat (now of Doctor Who fame) the show ran for three years, with Alexander easily the show’s leading lady.
Following that up with stints on the ingenious Green Wing, The Worst Week of My Life and Mutual Friends, Sarah Alexander became a welcome and regular sight on the British sitcom scene.
After then it was clear that she wanted to move away from the sitcom, with her transitioning into both stage acting and TV dramas in the shape of the slightly genial All The Small Things and the far tougher The Jury II.
While she more than pulled her weight in either of her dramatic roles, comedy really is her spiritual home, with her teaming up with Smack The Pony and Green Wing alumni Fay Rusling for Me and Mrs Jones.
It definitely shows in Me and Mrs Jones, with Alexander being absolutely pitch perfect as the newly sought after Gemma, a wonderfully downplayed and subtle turn from an actress who’s long been involved with surrealist comedy.
Here’s hoping that this show lasts slightly longer than Mutual Friends and takes up the slot vacated by the perennial My Family and the brilliant Outnumbered.
Me and Mrs Jones starts tonight at 9:30 on BBC One.
FemaleFirst Cameron Smith