Nicola Coughlan didn’t want Channel 4’s Big Mood to be ‘the bipolar show’ 

‘Often people don’t understand what bipolar disorder is and how it manifests.’

When Big Mood premiered in 2024 on Channel 4, the comedy-drama was praised for its portrayal of friendship and mental health issues.

Starring Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West as best friends Maggie and Eddie, the highly praised series explores the evolution of their friendship, including how Maggie’s bipolar disorder impacts their lives.

‘I don’t think any of us ever wanted this to be, like, the bipolar show,’ Nicola told Metro while being interviewed alongside Lydia ahead of season 2.

‘It’s just an aspect of who Maggie is. It’s not her whole character.’ 

The character of Maggie was written with Nicola in mind, as the show’s creator, Camilla Whitehill, had met the Derry Girls star while they were at drama school in Oxford.  

Nicola, who is also known for her scene-stealing turn as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, emphasised the lack of understanding there can be about bipolar disorder, and how sensitively it is handled in Big Mood.

‘I think often people don’t understand what bipolar disorder is and how it manifests. How it makes daily life really difficult, how difficult it is to manage and medicate and how extreme the extremes can be,’ she said.

‘I think it’s explored really, really well in Camilla’s writing.’ 

The magic of Big Mood is that it teaches its audience about the complexities of such a heavy topic with humour and warmth. 

‘I think it would be difficult if we set out to teach a lesson. I don’t think we’d teach it,’ Nicola stated.

‘I think you learn a lot more by just experiencing and going: “Oh, right, okay.” And it then opens conversations that maybe happen after the show.’ 

It’s A Sin star Lydia agreed.

‘It is about bipolar, but it’s also incredibly funny, and it speaks to a millennial audience. I think there’s so much people can gain from it, as well as destigmatising such mental illnesses, like lessons on life and friendships,’ she stressed.

‘If we can help people that are suffering from bipolar disorder, or relatives that are going through any kind of mental illness, it’s amazing. But yeah, it wasn’t the goal.’ 

Big Mood season two opens with a dilemma – whether there is still space for Maggie in Eddie’s life.

This feeds into the conflicting narratives that we’re fed online, such as being encouraged to protect our peace by cutting out toxic friends.

Having played characters who wind up with this conundrum, we asked Lydia and Nicola if they had any advice for people who might be navigating this same toss-up. 

‘I don’t think cutting someone out or estrangement is always the worst thing,’ Lydia remarked.

‘I agree,’ Nicola replied. 

‘I think if someone really hurts you a lot repeatedly. Then I think you have to go: “Actually, that’s not good for me.”‘

Singing from the same hymn sheet, Lydia added: ‘I think there’s a lot of promoting: “Work it out, see it through.” All these old sayings, like “blood is thicker than water” and things like that. But you have a choice.

‘And I think if you have changed, and you’ve tried, and someone maybe hasn’t respected your boundaries, you can go no contact.  

‘In Maggie and Eddie’s case, they’re not ready for that. They want to be in each other’s lives.’ 

One character, however, who threatens to get in the way of that, is Whitney (Hannah Onslow), Eddie’s new friend from the US. 

She calls herself a ‘light-worker’ (someone who ‘eradicates darkness’) and is big into spirituality and healing.  

Nicola admitted that while she would ‘love a place for that’ in her life, she’s ‘quite rational-brained’.

‘Annoyingly, I’m more practical of a person than I would like to think I am,’ she said.

The actress continued: ‘I wish I had more space for it, because when people are really into it, like Aimee Lou Wood, for example – she’s so gorgeous – she’s super into star signs.

‘I want to believe in it, but I think then the practical side of my brain goes: “Do you actually? Do you?”’ 

Nicola went on: ‘They always say you know you’re doing really badly if you get tarot readers on TikTok. 

‘When they start appearing, I’m like: “Ok, I’m gonna go for a walk.”’

Big Mood comes to Channel 4 on April 16.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.