The Reluctant Landlord's Yasmine Akram: 'Why I love Romesh Ranganathan'

by LAUREN CODLING

THE co-star of comedian Romesh Ranganathan’s semi-autobiographical sitcom has revealed behind-the-scenes antics of the show, as its Christmas special is due to air next Monday (23).

The Reluctant Landlord stars Ranganathan as a grumpy aspiring DJ who takes over his recently deceased father’s pub. In a one-off Christmas special, Ranganathan’s comedy – which is based on his own experiences after he inherited his father’s pub - will give viewers a glimpse into the festive goings-on at The Seven Swans.

Yasmine Akram stars as Julie the barmaid in the popular Sky One sitcom. Having appeared in the show since its inception in 2018, Akram has built up a strong relationship with fellow comic Ranganathan.

“I love Romesh and have been very vocal about this in the past,” Akram told Eastern Eye. “If he needed a kidney, I would give him mine. Or I would find one if mine wasn’t good enough.”

The pair have a similar sense of humour, she added. “He’s a really good person to make laugh because he has a huge laugh and he makes it look like you’ve said something amazingly funny,” she joked.

Filming the end-of-year edition in advance meant the cast had to don Christmas jumpers in April. They received some weird looks from passers-by, Akram recalled, although they soon got used to it.

Getting into the festive spirit early did have its downsides, however.

“I didn’t like the scenes after the Christmas dinner,” Akram revealed. “Because you sit there with leftovers in front of you that aren’t yours and are very cold… it’s gross.”

As well as her comedy roles in a variety of sketches and panel shows, fans will recognise Akram from shows such as Sherlock and the recent BBC drama Gold Digger. Sherlock is arguably one of the most popular British dramas in recent times. Portraying Janine Hawkins, who pursues a short lived relationship with protagonist Sherlock in season three, Akram reached new audiences with the 2014 role.

The show was also Akram’s first venture away from comedy.

“I felt really blessed they gave me that job because I was coming off doing a lot of live comedy and sketch stuff, and they could have given that job to any ‘serious’ actress,” the 37-year-old recalled. “And they were the most wonderful group of people to work with – I had such a good time.”

Despite not being on the air since 2017, Sherlock has continued to stay in the public consciousness with new and old fans revisiting the much-loved series. Has being able to stream the show on popular platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer had an impact?

“Yeah (it has), but I think Sherlock was such a big show and on everyone’s radar that the love for it will always keep the programme in some sort of consciousness,” the actress said. “I think it will become a classic show and having it on those platforms certainly makes it easy to access for people, which is wonderful.”

Having had a lengthy career in the entertainment industry, Akram is honest about its challenges. For one, she describes it as a “hard place” to find genuine people. And despite enjoying her work, she admitted she tends not to focus on it when she isn’t doing it. Akram also believes social media can put pressure on people in the entertainment industry to portray themselves as living a “constantly living a fantastic, aspirational life”.

“My life is very uneventful,” she confessed. “I like watching telly and drinking tea.”

Akram is of mixed heritage – her mother is Irish and father is Pakistani. Although she does not have a close relationship with her father (“I never really knew him, he showed up every now and again in my young life”), Akram said she was always “extremely aware” of her Asian roots.

Growing up in Drogheda, one of the oldest cities in Ireland, she recalled feeling “noticeably different” as she was one of the few people of colour.

“My dad not being around meant that my only family was my Irish one and of course, that’s who I identify with. I think of myself as Irish completely,” Akram, who now resides in London, said. “Drogheda is my home and always will be.”

That said, her mixed heritage is something she takes great pride in.

“Representing all people on screen should be about finding those people, like me, who don’t sit in any definable category,” she said, before adding: “And being half Pakistani has always meant that I can get a tan in the summer, which none of my Irish family can do.”

The Reluctant Landlord Christmas Special will air on Sky One and NOW TV next Monday (23) at 10pm