As a movie enthusiast, let me put it this way: “Being diagnosed with cerebral palsy often leads people to underestimate my abilities,” shares comedian Rosie Jones, as she unveils the inspiration behind her fresh C4 sitcom. “We decided to challenge that stereotype by crafting a story where I’m not just a joke, but a drug dealer operating stealthily due to being perceived as a small, slow woman. It’s a concept that really tickled our funny bones.
In 2018, Jones collaborated with Peter Fellows on the concept for Pushers; initially, it was a comedy short titled Disability Benefits that won an award on Channel 4. Now, it has been developed into a six-episode sitcom, providing an ideal venue for Jones to shed light on significant issues within the disabled community and bring laughter to viewers.
After finishing the show, you might find it hard to resist noticing similarities with the American drama “Breaking Bad,” although it’s fair to say there are more comedic elements involved. Intriguingly, a humorous nod is made in the original series about Walter White, the teacher-turned-drug dealer from Breaking Bad, who should have had his son, suffering from cerebral palsy, handle the drug deals instead. Interestingly enough, Emily’s character from this series finds herself in a similar situation following cuts to her disability benefits, and decides to take on drug dealing as a result.
It’s certainly a comparison endorsed by Jones. “That’s what we want!” she laughs.
Have you been in shows like “Call the Midwife” previously, or does it hold a unique charm to lead your own comedy series?
As a stand-up comedian, my ambition has always been to create and star in my own television sitcom. Growing up, shows like Dinnerladies and The Royle Family were my favorites because they made me feel at home. I thrive on making people laugh, it’s my main source of income. Being the lead actor meant additional responsibility, but since I’m a bit of a perfectionist, having control was wonderful! However, we’re all part of the same team, working towards the same goal.
Emily sometimes uses people’s prejudices of disability to her advantage — could you relate?
How did you go about casting the series?
Despite being the primary protagonist, I felt a strong desire to ensure my show wasn’t just another sitcom populated by a group of able-bodied, heterosexual, non-disabled men. It’s frustrating when I watch TV and see only one character with a disability, whose entire narrative revolves around their disability. Portraying every disabled storyline through that one character can be very harmful because being disabled isn’t a defining characteristic; it should not be the sole focus of a character. Instead, I aimed to produce a series where most of the characters were disabled.
Can you describe what the audition process was like?
In our creative journey, my partner and I made a conscious effort not to let a character be defined solely by their disability. During auditions, we welcomed actors from all walks of life, including those with varying abilities. Once we found the perfect fit for each role, we delved back into the script, tailoring it to suit the actor’s unique circumstances and abilities. This approach, in our opinion, is essential for any production – it’s about inclusivity, not exclusion, when it comes to individuals with disabilities.
In Pushers, we’ve moved beyond stereotypical portrayals of disability and queerness. Characters are three-dimensional and flawed, not just the vulnerable, victimized, asexual, or passive ones. For instance, Emily, an openly gay woman with cerebral palsy, doesn’t announce her identity in a blatant way because that’s not how people interact in real life. It’s crucial to represent minorities, but what matters less is making a grand spectacle of it.
How did you make Pushers an inclusive set for the cast?
On set daily, there was an exceptional access coordinator named Dan Edge. During our time together on Taskmaster, I collaborated with him. Despite having cerebral palsy, he completed all tasks prior to mine, ensuring they could be accomplished. He ensured that every individual, regardless of ability, was heard and their needs addressed. By catering to everyone’s requirements, he fostered an ideal setting for producing a fantastic show.
Emily has problems with the benefits system — what has your experience been like?
Wow, it’s been quite an experience! They’ve been great towards me, we seem to connect well. However, things haven’t gone smoothly. I feel my situation isn’t particularly extraordinary, but it’s certainly not the most challenging out there. Initially, in 2006 when I was just 16, I was evaluated and given a significant allowance for mobility due to the difficulties I face moving around. I usually need taxis for transportation. They mentioned that this assistance would be permanent because cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition. Unfortunately, years later, things didn’t turn out as expected. They became less approachable, even rude, and during a brief meeting, they decided to reduce my benefits by half.
That’s shocking — how did they decide that?
My evaluator visited my home and observed me taking seven steps. He seemed to think I walked quite competently during those steps, suggesting he knows more about me than I know myself. Fortunately, my job allows me to use taxis when necessary, but it’s unfortunate that I have to spend a significant portion of my income on expenses beyond my control. I wanted to illustrate this situation because many disabled individuals can unexpectedly lose their benefits, making it difficult for them to secure employment – being disabled doubles the likelihood of unemployment. This leaves them struggling to pay bills or afford basic necessities like food and heat. It’s hard to imagine surviving in such a world.
This topic, regrettably, remains particularly pertinent. We penned Pushers under a Conservative administration, yet just as we were set to begin filming, an election occurred and Labour took office. We debated if our sitcom might become somewhat outdated with the compassionate, capable, diverse, disability-friendly Labour government. Sadly, things didn’t unfold as hoped. Discussing welfare issues and the mistreatment of disabled individuals in this country is more crucial than ever before. It’s a shame we underestimated the new government’s approach to us compared to the last one.
How has the new Labour government impacted things for disabled people?
The origin of the problem lies in the unfair allocation of resources – repeatedly disadvantaging those who are already struggling in our society. There’s a growing concern that the trend of abandoning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prevalent in the U.S., may spread to the UK. At this juncture, it’s crucial to acknowledge that for those who are differently-abled or unique in any way, our nation is not currently an inviting place to live.
Do you think that makes this series an important watch?
If you find yourself in a challenging situation due to disability, know that peddling illegal substances isn’t your only option! What I truly aspire for, however, is for this narrative to spark thought-provoking conversations about the current state of society. Above all else, my deepest wish is that it brings laughter – if not, then I may have missed the mark in my storytelling endeavor.
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2025-06-10 02:49