First look at Michelle De Swarte comedy Spent

Co-starring Matt King and Jamali Maddix

Here are the first pictures from the new BBC comedy drama Spent, written by and starring Michelle De Swarte.

The series is part-inspired by her experiences of the modelling industry, and she stars as Mia, a former international catwalk model finding herself broke and homeless in Brixton, South London

These images also show Peep Show’s Superhans, Matt King, as her agent Mills, and stand-up Jamali Maddix as a character called Marc.

Matt as Mills - in poloneck and velvet jacket - at a posh restaurant

Jamali and Michelle in the street

Describing De Swarte’s character, the BBC says: ‘This is a woman who despite her humble beginnings has become accustomed, possibly even addicted, to the finer things in life. Unfortunately, those lifestyle choices don’t carry much currency when you’re pushing 40 and permanently sofa surfing.

‘She may have a highfalutin’ attitude and a world class skincare regime but Mia’s now living on the breadline. Not that she’s prepared to admit that to anyone, not even herself.’

Jemima (Eva Pope) and Mia (De Swarte) in a simple flat
Jemima (Eva Pope) and Mia (Michelle De Swarte)

Made by production company Various Artists Ltd, the six episodes of Spent launch this summer on BBC Two and iPlayer. The series also stars Juliette Cowan, Amanda Wilkin, Karl Collins, Eleanor Nawal and Rachel Ofori.

David (Joseph Ollman) and Mia (Michelle De Swarte)

Born in South London, De Swarte was scouted at 19 while working in Segaworld in the Trocadero Centre at Piccadilly Circus.

She soon moved to New York where she modelled for the likes of Burberry, Missoni, Tommy Hilfiger and Cartier and featured in fashion spreads for Harper’s Bazaar, Italian Vanity Fair, i-D and V Magazine.

Her career as a runway model stopped abruptly after she twice fell over on the Gucci runway and she moved back to London, where she turned to stand-up comedy and acting.

She was a regular in Katherine Ryan’s Netflix series The Duchess for Netflix and had her first leading role in Sky/HBO’s The Baby.

Grace (Lorna Brown) and Jo (Amanda Wilkin)

Here’s a scene from Spent:

Thanks for reading. If you find Chortle’s coverage of the comedy scene useful or interesting, please consider supporting us with a monthly or one-off ko-fi donation.

Any money you contribute will directly fund more reviews, interviews and features – the sort of in-depth coverage that is increasingly difficult to fund from ever-squeezed advertising income, but which we think the UK’s vibrant comedy scene deserves.

Subscribe or donate here

Published: 14 Jun 2024