Billie Piper has been on quite a journey. From teenage popstar (and my first crush) through the tabloid obsession with her marriages to Chris Evans and – shudder – Laurence Fox, to her position, now, as one of Britain’s finest actors. I Hate Suzie – created by Piper along with Diary of a Call Girl collaborator, and Succession writer, Lucy Prebble – was a tremendous showcase for Piper’s ability, and it returns now for a short second season: I Hate Suzie Too. Get ready to be traumatised all over again.
Having hit rock bottom by the end of the first season (marriage ended, career in tatters, an unexpected pregnancy looming), Suzie is now making a home for herself amid the pebbly detritus of her life as was. Her big comeback opportunity – personally as well as professionally – is a sub-Strictly reality TV show called DanceCrazee. But behind the make-up and glitter, leotards and legwarmers, Suzie is hanging by a thread. “How do you feel?” the cheery emcee (Layton Williams) asks her as she comes off the dancefloor, her performance having elicited a stream of negative social media reactions. “Not ideal!” Suzie replies, through her enormous, gritted teeth.
