Colin from Accounts’ Harriet Dyer & Patrick Brammall: ‘The dog was always the most professional on set’
The duo behind Colin from Accounts discuss their viewing habits, life at home, and the challenges of co-writing and co-starring in their hit show.
When it comes to balancing work and home life, Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall seem to have found a rhythm that works—most of the time.
The married actors, who co-created and co-star in the critically acclaimed series Colin from Accounts, have mastered the art of collaboration both on and off the screen. Whether they're lounging on their two sofas, indulging in a mix of toddler-friendly cartoons and gripping dramas, or fine-tuning the script of their show, Dyer and Brammall's partnership is defined by a blend of humor, respect, and mutual admiration.
In this interview, the couple shares insights into their everyday life, from their favourite TV shows to how they navigate creative differences. They also reflect on the unique challenges and joys of working so closely together, particularly in an industry that often requires them to juggle multiple roles. Despite the occasional intensity, it's clear that Dyer and Brammall wouldn't have it any other way—after all, as they put it, they are each other's biggest fans.
What’s the view from your sofa?
Harriet Dyer: We thought long and hard about that. It's a good set-up. We are a two-couch family: the couches face each other with a nice coffee table in the middle. It’s a sitting room for when we have guests. But when they leave and it's just us, we get to lie down on a sofa each, like the animals we are, and watch the telly.
Patrick Brammall: Let's face it, that’s 90 per cent of its use.
What have you enjoyed watching recently?
Harriet: The Olympics! You know, medals per capita, per population, means that Australia won!
Patrick: We also like Below Deck.
Harriet: We ate up Baby Reindeer…
Patrick: And love Hey Duggee and Love, Diana…
So is it actually your toddler who has control of the remote?
Patrick: It happens! She likes old-school Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse cartoons – the ones that look creepy!
Do you two share the same taste in TV programmes?
Harriet: I have learned to be OK with Patty wanting to watch something that I don't want to watch. I’ll just go to bed with my laptop or read a book. We have learned that we don’t have to…
Patrick: …do all things together, at all times.
Harriet: Yes, because we do so much together in parenting and writing the show and doing press and meetings. We’re a bit like conjoined twins.
What’s it like co-writing and co-starring in Colin from Accounts?
Harriet: It does get intense! Sometimes you realise that this is more time spent with someone than is the design. But it's also lovely because we are each other's favourite person and each other's champion, and we have a very similar sense of humour. So, if it’s going to be anyone, thank God it’s him!
Patrick: It really helps that we like each other or it would be a real bummer.
What do you do if you don’t like the other person's idea or you don’t think that it's funny?
Harriet: We have to be gentle with each other. It’s vulnerable showing your art!
Patrick: And respectful. Having said that, I think because we've got experience doing it now, we're a bit more robust!
Harriet, you previously spoke out about how the success of Colin has made you feel more equal with Patrick. In what sense?
Harriet: In season one, there were certain people on set who would just talk to Patty and I’d be standing right there, which really gave me the s**ts. In season two, if that happened, I’d just walk away.
Patty had written a bunch of stuff before Colin – and Colin was the only thing I'd written. He's also 13 years older than me – and a man. I grew up in a small town which is still a little traditional and I had to fight against a few of those metrics. In season two, I felt like I could take the same-sized seat at the table.
Patrick: Also, whatever the conversation, it would have to go through Harriet anyway!
Your canine Colin from Accounts co-star — whose name is Zach — has become quite a star himself. What was he like to work with?
Patrick: He was always the most professional!
Harriet: There was one time he was so good, he looked like a robot. He looked like he'd been computer-generated and added in later!
Patrick: We had to get the trainer to walk behind the camera so he would move his eyes!
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Colin from Accounts returns to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, 3rd September at 10pm.
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