Steven Lightfoot reveals the story behind this episode:
What was your brief for Episode 5?
To fill an hour between Episode 4 and Episode 6!
Same as all the episodes really. To write a good strong episode that stood on its own, but also furthered the ongoing stories in the series, and made people want to come back for more.
You're also the show's producer - how did this affect your approach?
"I really wanted to have a go at Charlie's character."
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Producing the show didn't really affect how I wrote the episode. We decided very early on that I would be writing as well as producing, and I really wanted to have a go at Charlie's character.
Producing helped, because I was so immersed in the show - other scripts, casting etc, that I got to know the characters really well, really fast. If you can do that the rest should be easy...
I didn't get the pick of the episodes, Danny Brocklehurst [Sorted creator and writer] did, but Episode 5 was the one that interested me anyway - the revelation!
What were the challenges of taking on characters already established in earlier episodes?
If you believe the characters and the situation then it's pretty easy. Danny created such strong voices that it wasn't a problem. And I was so involved in developing the series as a whole that I knew them very well.
The real challenge is being asked to write for characters that you don't really get, or believe in. Not the case here.
Where did you draw your inspirations for the various plot strands from? Is any of it based on real-life events?
"The main requirement to write Sorted is a strong working knowledge of The Pub."
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I think inspiration is a Magpie kind of thing. Some if it comes from other writers, films, books, some from people you know, or stories in the paper. And then a lot of it comes from yourself and your experiences.
My episode has elements of break-ups and affairs. Some of that comes from personal experience, or seeing friends go through stuff like that. The stag night comes from all those terrible drunken nights one tots up over the years! I think the main requirement to write Sorted is a strong working knowledge of The Pub.
Did you enjoy writing for Charlie? On paper he's not a very sympathetic character - did this make your job more challenging or more fun?
I did enjoy writing for Charlie - I was keen to try and get under his skin and find out what makes him tick. What drives him on his self destructive path? I found him a sad character rather than a nasty one.
It all boils down to the fact he isn't happy with himself and that can be so destructive. And there is some pleasure in putting yourself in the shoes of a really selfish bastard - vicarious fun such as when he resigns.
What are your favourite moments in the episode?
The revelation scene when the affair comes out. I watched them film it and I had my heart in the mouth and the crew were silent. Charlie's resignation to Claire Hill, and Amy's porn movie reveal. Big moments - great fun.
What do you hope the audience get from this episode?
"The whole thing with Sorted was to make a show that spoke about real people and their lives."
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Same as the rest of the show - enjoyment, entertainment and hopefully they can identify with it.
The whole thing with Sorted was to make a show that spoke about real people and their lives. Not cops or spies but the sort of stories the audience experience everyday. And if they like it hopefully they come back and watch the next one.
Do you have a final word on the episode?
Only to thank the cast and crew for doing such a fantastic job of it!
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