The Dim Blue Line

As someone who has spent decades in the entertainment industry, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia as I read about the making of “Piglets” and the challenges faced by its creators, Mark Heap, Laura Messina, and Toby Pile. Having worked on numerous productions myself, I can relate to their experiences of tight budgets, limited rehearsal time, and the pressure to create instant hits.

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In the year 2004, screenwriter Victoria Pile and her close-knit writing crew achieved great success with “Green Wing,” Channel 4’s absurd hospital comedy that launched the careers of actors such as Stephen Mangan, Tamsin Greig, and Mark Heap. Twenty years later, Pile’s team of writers, along with Heap, have returned with a new comedy called “Piglets.” It debuted on ITV last week and, according to Pile, is a full-blown comedy set in a police training academy.

Heap and Sarah Parish play the roles of weary senior police officers, guiding the new generation of aspiring cops portrayed by Callie Cooke, Ukweli Roach, Jamie Bisping, and Sam Pote. Expect uncomfortable interrogation lessons, office romances, and a comedic search for a traitor reminiscent of “Line of Duty.”

“Pile shared that someone had inquired about a new season of ‘Green Wing’ and he declined the offer. If he had agreed, it would have been under Channel 4’s production. Consequently, ‘Piglets’ came about as I sought a fresh project.”

An idea came to her unexpectedly when when she encountered some young men in casual clothing in the park, whom she initially assumed were up to no good. However, upon closer inspection, she discovered they were in fact trainee police officers. It’s a common observation that cops are getting younger these days, but these particular officers appeared almost childlike to her.

The Dim Blue Line

Recently, the conversation turned towards their reasons for joining the police force at such a young age, around sixteen. This was an challenging period for law enforcement. How did they come to make this significant decision during their teenage years?

In no time, Pile assembled her go-to writing crew – Oriane Messina, Robert Harley, James Henry, and Fay Rusling, who were also involved in “Smack the Pony” and “Campus” – to collaborate on the project with a swift deadline.

Comedy icon Heap, now 67 years old, is well-known for his roles in various critically praised sitcoms including “Green Wing,” “Friday Night Dinner,” and “Spaced.” His quirky portrayals of fussy and unhinged characters made him a household name. Therefore, it was only natural that he was cast as the food-fixated Superintendent Bob Weekes in the production.

“I hope this new character isn’t overly alike to any of mine before,” Heap expresses. “It’s challenging for one person to embody vastly different personas. The notion of having to become an entirely new individual each time can be quite demanding.”

It’s not a satire on the police. It’s a sit in which to put the com

The cast, including several newcomers to TV, had no time to waste as the show was developed, scripted, and filmed at an extraordinary fast rate. When I interviewed Pile, Heap, and co-writer Oriane Messina, they had recently completed editing the last episodes, which were shot during January and February of this year.

In the past, during the production of “Green Wing,” we were fortunate to have ample workshop time where actors could experiment and improvise freely. However, nowadays with limited budgets and tight schedules, we only had one week for the entire series to prepare. We would give updated scripts to Mark and the newer cast members during filming, but it wasn’t sufficient time.

Heap expresses his dislike for having scripts pushed upon him, causing him to feel anxious due to his aging memory.

It’s widely acknowledged that creating comedy over the past 20 years has grown more challenging. As Messina reflects, it would be quite a feat today to produce an ensemble hour-long show like “Green Wing.” Remarkably, “Piglets” opted for half-hour episodes and had to simplify some of their distinctive styling due to the shorter runtime.

According to Messina, the storylines seemed remarkably compact and well-structured for the given timeframe.

Pile explains, “We filmed an abundance of material that didn’t make the final cut.” He continues, “There are humorous moments, some might call them bizarre, which would have suited Green Wing. In essence, our approach to comedy has evolved. Nowadays, audiences crave immediate satisfaction and aren’t as willing to wait for ideas to develop like they used to be.”

For the first time, the three-member team has brought on board newer, more diverse writers, such as Omar Khan and Abiola Ogunbiyi, to ensure that their portrayal of various topics and themes resonates accurately with a wider audience and avoids potential offense.

“According to Pile, expressing various viewpoints and emotions can be more challenging due to individual sensitivities. However, he believes it’s important not to suppress these expressions. In his opinion, our content doesn’t contain anything offensive; instead, it’s filled with warmth and playful humor.”

It seems that even before the airing of the first episode, one particular group took offense to the series – the police themselves. The Police Federation of England and Wales expressed their disapproval a week prior to the premiere, finding the title’s use of a derogatory term for police as “pigs” distasteful and offensive to those in law enforcement who put their lives on the line daily.

ITV explained that the title was meant to be lighthearted and humorous, highlighting the innocent and youthful nature of the trainees in the show. Some ex-officers have come forward on social media platform X, arguing that there are more important matters for the Federation to focus on instead of criticizing comedy programs.

I’m about to email everyone about a Green Wing follow-up

As a cinephile, I can understand that some people might have expected deeper meaning or social commentary from “Piglets.” But the creators, including myself as the writer and the cast, never intended it to be a statement piece. We simply wanted to craft an engaging story with a well-structured plot. To clarify, “Piglets” is not a documentary, nor is it a satire on law enforcement. It’s just a heartwarming tale that provides a platform for comedy.

According to Pile, workplaces come with their typical struggles and love stories. Regardless of whether it’s a hospital, a police academy, or a university, they all share the same fundamental human experiences. Our team is keen on delving deeper into authentic human behavior and pushing the boundaries to examine the extremes.

In due time, the public response to this controversial show will become clear. The series, which has a lighthearted and humorous portrayal of policing that is closer to “Thin Blue Line” than “Line of Duty,” is eagerly anticipated by its creators for a potential second season.

According to Pile, it’s exciting: “We have the opportunity to build upon what’s been established. A fresh training group can take over, allowing us to progress even more.”

As a movie buff, I’d be genuinely disappointed if I didn’t get another chance to work with my beloved team of writers. It’s like coming home for me. I truly enjoyed the experience. If only we had more time to make it even better. Here’s hoping audiences will appreciate our effort.

If “Piglets” fails to secure a second series due to upset police officers or the challenges of making contemporary comedy, there’s still “Green Wing” as an alternative. The cast recently reunited for a podcast, and rumors suggest that the writers are planning a follow-up on screen.

“Pile expressed that we’re currently considering our options. I’m planning to reach out to everyone for their input soon. So, in essence, we’re pondering possible actions. There are potential opportunities we might seize. And let’s not forget, they were left hanging at a crucial point.”

2024-07-19 16:44

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