Sally Phillips Reflects on Miranda's Success and Champions Neurodiversity in New Show 'Austin'

From Doubting 'Miranda' to Championing 'Austin'

It's hard to imagine the beloved sitcom 'Miranda' without Sally Phillips' iconic portrayal of Tilly. Yet, Phillips candidly revealed her early reservations. "I read that and I went, 'That’s never [going to] work but she’s a lovely girl and, you know, she needs a break, sure. No problem,'" she told Metro.co.uk. Her gut feeling, in this instance, was delightfully wrong, as the show, known for breaking the fourth wall and its slapstick humour, captured the hearts of UK audiences.

Interestingly, Phillips noted that filming comedy isn't always the laugh riot viewers might expect, often requiring serious focus. "Lots of comedy shows aren’t a laugh actually... comedy shows are quite serious about being funny," she explained.

Introducing 'Austin': Comedy with a Cause

Phillips expresses genuine excitement for her latest project, the Australian comedy 'Austin'. The series stars Ben Miller as Julian Hartswood, a children's author whose career is derailed by a social media mishap. His life takes another unexpected turn when Austin (played by Michael Theo), the neurodivergent son he never knew he had, appears. Seeing a potential path to redemption, Julian attempts to embrace his newfound fatherhood, documented all the while.

Phillips plays Julian's wife, Ingrid. The show has been praised for its humour and heart, with Michael Theo's performance receiving particular acclaim. Reviews call it a "laugh-out-loud must-see," celebrating Theo's "incredible comic timing."

The Importance of Representation

For Phillips, whose eldest son Olly has Down's syndrome and autism, the show's focus on neurodiversity is deeply personal and vital. "I think disabled representation, it’s definitely been the poor cousin of race and gender. Also, disability hate crime is the one hate crime that is rising," she stated, emphasizing the power of television to foster understanding by bringing diverse stories into people's homes. The production also made efforts to hire a neurodiverse crew, an experience Phillips found seamless, proving that inclusivity doesn't hinder professionalism.

Michael Theo, who also served as a script consultant, hopes 'Austin' will showcase neurodiversity positively and allow audiences to see him beyond his 'Love on the Spectrum' fame.

What role did Sally Phillips play in 'Miranda'?

She played Tilly, Miranda's posh, upper-class school friend, known for catchphrases like "Bear with!".

What is the new show 'Austin' about?

It's a comedy about a cancelled children's author (Ben Miller) whose neurodivergent son (Michael Theo), whom he never knew existed, suddenly appears. Sally Phillips plays the author's wife, Ingrid.

When can UK audiences watch 'Austin'?

'Austin' premieres on BBC One at 9:30 pm on Friday, April 4th. All eight episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from the same day.

What are your favourite memories from the show 'Miranda'? Do you think 'Austin' will be as successful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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