Catherine Tate is famous for playing multiple characters thanks to her successful sketch show that was a hit in mid-noughties – and now she is back with a whole new cast of characters in a brand new show.
The 53-year-old comedienne will be changing up her hair and face to create a string of new characters for a new comedy series called Hard Cell.
The Netflix comedy show is set in a fictional women’s prison called HMP Woldsley and will see Catherine doing what she does best – pretending to be a variety of different characters all at the same time.
It is hoped the new show will be a return to form for the TV star – whose much-loved series The Catherine Tate Show first appeared on screens almost 20 years ago back in 2004 and ran for three series until 2007.
The star herself is playing a range of characters including the prison governor, Laura, who encourages the inmates to embrace their creative sides in order to be rehabilitated.
The official Netflix bio of the character states: "A self-styled prison reformer convinced staging musicals will provide a platform for her belief that creativity leads to rehabilitation. Her detractors would describe her as a ‘bleeding heart liberal in kitten heels’, a description she wouldn’t hate."
The show culminates with the inmates performing in a musical – with ex-EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison taking on the role of the director of the prisoners’ performance.
As a master of disguise, Catherine is playing not just the governor, but also a first-time con called Angem an inmate called Ros, another prisoner named Big Viv, who is described as a “psychopathic lifer”, and an ex-con named Anne-Marie.
She is also doing something of a drag king performance to play a male character named Marco who is one of the prison guards who has aspirations of becoming a Love Island contestant.
Marco's Netflix bio states: "He got down to the last 32 on Love Island so he’s got nothing to prove. More committed to his appearance than his job, which he only took because he can get to work without changing tubes."
The show is due to start streaming on Netflix from April 12 and will be six episodes long.
Catherine is back in vogue, it would seem, as her new Netflix show is not the only thing keeping her busy at the moment.
Her foul mouthed grandmother character Joannie Taylor has been wheeled out again for a new big-screen adventure titled The Nan Movie.
The character was part of The Catherine Tate show and has already starred in a string of spin-off made-for-TV movies, but The Nan Movie is the first cinematic release for the character.
Due out at the end of this week, the film will see Catherine reunited with Gavin & Stacey star Matthew Horne who returns to play long-suffering grandson, Jamie.
Fellow The Catherine Tate Show alum Niky Wardley who famously played one of Lauren ‘Am I Bovvered’ Cooper’s best friends is among the cast playing Officer Mahler.
While Katherine Parkinson is also taking part in the film as a character named Nell Taylor.
Film director Josie Rourke has previously told Digital Spy: "I think I speak for loads of us when I say that my Gran's spirit lives in Catherine Tate's immortal Nan.
"I have loved working with Catherine over the years on stage, and it is a massive treat to put her Nan on film.
"Here's to her Nan, my Nan, all our Nans. Let's reclaim outrage from loathsome politicians and put it back where it belongs: with our Nans."
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