How Dawn French sitcom Can You Keep a Secret? tackles illness stories in a very different way

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The actors in ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ have highlighted how the show’s cheerful take on living with illness feels just as genuine and relatable as more serious portrayals.

This comedy series centers around Debbie and William Fendon, a married couple who try to get rich by faking William’s death to claim his life insurance money.

William’s Parkinson’s disease is a major reason behind this difficult choice. The family has been finding it hard to manage his condition, especially since their insurance won’t cover the costs of his care.

This story really resonates with me, especially knowing that its creator, Simon Mayhew-Archer, is going through something similar in his own life. His dad, Paul – who actually wrote for ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ – is living with Parkinson’s, but he’s handling it with a fantastic sense of humor. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how they’re both facing this challenge.

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He admitted it was unusual for a comedy, but not central to the story – more of a side detail. He added that, from a comedic perspective, it’s funny because William exploits his illness to manipulate others emotionally.

During a conversation about the show ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’, French pointed out that Debbie often doesn’t let her co-star get away with his antics.

Debbie’s blunt honesty towards William seems to stem from their long, comfortable marriage, but Heap believes it actually mirrors the honest, and sometimes difficult, relationship Simon has with his own father.

As a movie fan, I really appreciated what Mandip Gill, who plays Neha, said. She explained that the film portrays things as they genuinely are for this family, showing what it’s like to deal with these health issues from their perspective. And it’s great that it doesn’t just focus on the negative – it shows all the complexities and doesn’t paint everything as hopeless.

I really appreciated that ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ didn’t shy away from showing the struggles some families face with mental health. Harold, Debbie and William’s son, deals with anxiety and depression, and it felt really honest to see that represented alongside everything else going on. It added another layer to the story and made it feel even more relatable.

Roberts also commended the show for its realistic portrayal of mental health, noting that it didn’t shy away from showing that life can still be enjoyable and ordinary, even while dealing with these issues.

As a movie fan, I’ve always thought comedy is a brilliant way to tackle tougher subjects, and it feels like we’re seeing more of that now – films actually addressing things like anxiety and mental health. For me, if a movie can make you laugh and deal with something real, that’s when it really hits home. It’s about having a good time, but with a little substance underneath.

Can You Keep a Secret? premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday 7th January 2026.

Don’t miss ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about scripted TV dramas and comedies for TopMob, keeping readers up-to-date on the newest and best shows. Before joining TopMob, he worked at Starburst Magazine, hosted the podcast ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX, and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-01-07 12:04