{"id":16434,"date":"2025-04-13T11:58:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-13T11:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/16434\/"},"modified":"2025-04-13T11:58:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-13T11:58:09","slug":"jamelia-admits-she-cried-every-day-while-filming-dark-bbc-drama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/16434\/","title":{"rendered":"Jamelia admits she ‘cried every day’ while filming dark BBC drama"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Just
\n\t\tJamelia reveals her emotional journey with new BBC comedy drama Just Act Normal (Picture: BBC\/The Forge)<\/p>\n

It was 18 years ago \u2013 almost to the exact date \u2013 that Noughties popstar Jamelia released what would turn out to be her last UK hit single.<\/p>\n

Between 2000 and 2007, the Superstar hitmaker scored seven top 10 hits and became one of the biggest names in British pop, but soon pivoted towards TV \u2013 transforming into, as she tells Metro<\/strong>, a \u2018multi-hyphenate\u2019.<\/p>\n

After stints on Loose Women and Hollyoaks<\/a>, among others, Jamelia is ready to continue her TV career on the brand new BBC<\/a> comedy drama Just Act Normal.<\/p>\n

The six-part series, which drops on iPlayer on April 16, follows the story of three siblings attempting to avoid social services after their mother, Jackie, mysteriously vanishes. <\/p>\n

Based on the play Three Birds \u2013 written by the show\u2019s award-winning creator Janice Okoh <\/a>\u2013 Just Act Normal balances intense human drama with surrealist comedy, and shines a light on the delightful idiosyncrasies and harrowing truths of inner-city Birmingham.<\/p>\n

At one point, the kids employ a \u2018Fake Jackie\u2019 to stand in for their missing mum \u2013 but the trio (played by newcomers Chen\u00e9e Taylor, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie, and Akins Subair) get more than they bargained for with Jamelia\u2019s entrance. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"Just
\n\t\tThe series follows three children whose mum goes missing (Picture: BBC\/The Forge\/Ben Gregory-Ring)<\/p>\n

\u2018Fake Jackie brings lightheartedness to something that\u2019s really heavy,\u2019 Jamelia says. \u2018As dark comedies go, Just Act Normal is very dark. But it was so beautiful to play her.\u2019<\/p>\n

Fake Jackie immediately reveals herself to be a superfan of Tina Turner, as well as an overly keen and larger-than-life impersonator of the Proud Mary star.<\/p>\n

\u2018As a singer, this is embarrassing to admit, but I\u2019m not a massive Tina fan,\u2019 she confesses. \u2018[But] I asked if Jackie could be a rubbish impersonator, so I could lean into the ridiculousness of her character.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Just
\n\t\t\u2018Fake Jackie\u2019 is a \u2018rubbish\u2019 Tina Turner impersonator by day\u2026 (Picture: BBC\/The Forge\/Ben Gregory-Ring)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Jamelia
\n\t\tJust Act Normal is a long way from (Picture: Jo Hale\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Set in Birmingham and filmed all across the West Midlands, Just Act Normal has its roots deep in Jamelia\u2019s homeland, having been born in Handsworth. <\/p>\n

And she made sure the women of Handsworth were visible in Fake Jackie: \u2018I wanted Fake Jackie to be like so many of the fantastic women I\u2019ve known across my 44 years in Birmingham. Brummies have a unique vibe \u2013 we\u2019re very free people, we\u2019re allowed to shine, and we\u2019re not as self-conscious as other regions.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have a culture that\u2019s uniquely us and I wanted to bring that to the screen. I wanted to [portray] so many of those women at the same time \u2013 you don\u2019t see that culture on screen much, so I think Birmingham will be proud of what we\u2019ve done.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\t\t\"Just
\n\t\tJust Act Normal shines a light on inner-city Birmingham living (Picture: BBC\/The Forge\/Samuel Dore)<\/p>\n

A mum-of-four<\/a>, Jamelia praised writer Janice Okoh for bringing Brummy kids to the BBC: \u2018You don\u2019t see many stories like Just Act Normal told [on TV]. There were so many things that were familiar and authentic to me.\u2019<\/p>\n

Stealing her heart the most, however, were Chen\u00e9e, Akins, and Kaydrah, the lead trio playing siblings Tionne, Tiana, and Tanika \u2013 Jamelia says she still keeps in touch with them all.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s such a beautiful thing to see working class kids like Chen\u00e9e, Akins, and Kaydrah get big opportunities. Growing up as an inner-city Brummy, these things didn\u2019t really happen for kids like us. To see them be so professional, and fantastically dedicated and committed, every single day, was such a joy.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

She laughs as she describes herself as \u2018someone from the 1900s\u2019 who\u2019s excited about the generation of talented kids about to take their first steps in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n

\u2018Giving working class kids these chances is amazing. I could have cried every single day because I saw my younger self in these fantastic actors. All three of them, it was either their first or second acting job \u2013 ever. This will be a launch for them all.\u2019<\/p>\n

After Just Act Normal drops, Jamelia is ready for any potential spotlights that might drift back towards her impressive hits collection, with a dozen Noughties R&B hits available for any new fan to choose from.<\/p>\n

With no plans for a return to Loose Women \u2013 \u2018I still watch [but] I don\u2019t think they\u2019d have me\u2019 \u2013 could a return to the studio be her next big move? What about if Superstar goes viral on TikTok?<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Just
\n\t\t\u2018You don\u2019t see many stories like Just Act Normal on TV\u2019 (Picture: BBC\/The Forge\/Ben Gregory-Ring)<\/p>\n

2024 was defined by unexpected comebacks for Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Natasha Bedingfield, and an acclaimed revival from the Sugababes \u2013 three of Jamelia\u2019s contemporaries during her chart heyday. So, does Jamelia fancy a Saltburn-style Superstar resurgence?<\/p>\n

\u2018I have four daughters \u2013 hearing them singing Natasha and Sophie\u2019s songs in 2025 is the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing thing, so I absolutely would love to have a moment like that for myself.<\/p>\n

\u2018If I could choose a hit of mine to go viral it would be [top five 2000 hit] Money, with Beenie Man. That should have been bigger [at the time]. But I know the people would choose Superstar \u2013 and that\u2019s great, I\u2019d be more than happy to keep performing it.\u2019<\/p>\n

Jamelia is back in the studio working on new music, set for release later this year \u2013 \u2018I\u2019ve been inspired and I\u2019m having fantastic sessions\u2019 \u2013 but is comfortable revealing that she\u2019ll be happy to do anything, so long as it\u2019s in show business.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m in a fantastic space creatively and the entertainment industry is my favourite thing. I love to yap, I love to interview people, and I love music.\u2019<\/p>\n

Just Act Normal is coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three from Wednesday, April 16.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

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\nMORE: 12 major soap stars that had surprising Doctor Who roles you didn\u2019t know about<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Naga Munchetty and BBC editor \u2018barely speaking after bullying row\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Iconic ITV trio reunite after 18 years in Coronation Street<\/a><\/p>\n

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