Netflix’s ‘Hard Cell’ Exec Kristian Smith Talks Tonal Shifts On Catherine Tate Comedy; Reveals Michael Morpurgo Adaptation

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: Doctor Who star Catherine Tate’s Netflix comedy Hard Cell is a tonal shift from her previous work, according to exec Kristian Smith, who revealed the mockumentary’s producer Leopard Pictures is working on a feature film adaptation of a Michael Morpurgo novel.Hard Cell, which drops today, features a fake documentary crew following the inmates and staff of HMP Woldsley, with beloved UK comedy star Tate portraying multiple characters to capture the British penal system at its brutal and humorous best.Smith told Deadline the six-parter is a departure from Tate’s previous work such as the BBC’s The Catherine Tate Show and said it is unique in the TV landscape.“There’s real pathos to this, it’s proper storytelling” he added. “The show is laugh out loud funny and everything people love about Catherine is there but you will see moments of great tragedy, real warmth and real drama that frames and offsets the comedy.

Tonally we found our own space.”Across a successful and varied 25-year career, Tate has mainly worked for British broadcasters but Smith said the show was always intended for Netflix and pitched directly to LA rather than Anne Mensah’s London-based scripted team.“Netflix’s content is modern and progressive,” he added. “There’s nothing too scabrous but there is a degree of abrasion and naughtiness to Hard Cell and Netflix felt like a modern home.”The show has been in development for several years after Tate contacted Smith soon after he left the BBC to set up Leopard, although it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Being developed for a global streamer led Tate to dial down the “local specificity”, added Smith, although there is a reused niche reference to former EastEnders actor Cheryl Ferguson who