Lolly Adefope says BAFTA nomination is more "meaningful" after The Franchise cancellation

This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.

Best known for playing Kitty, the sweet, daft (and dead) aristocrat in Ghosts, Lolly Adefope cut her teeth as a stand-up comic.

She has also appeared in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn and, most recently, The Franchise, Armando Iannucci’s behind-the-scenes satire of superhero movies.

How does it feel to be nominated for a BAFTA?

It’s undeniably amazing recognition, but what is really meaningful for me is that the show I’m nominated for was cancelled in January. The Franchise was such a fun show to make, we all got on so well and became kind of a family, and we didn’t get to make it again. So this, for me, is just a very nice way to finish that story.

Have you changed at all as you’ve become more successful?

I have had success, for sure, but I don’t know if I feel successful. I feel grateful to be an actor who works a lot, to have an element of choice in the things I do, and to feel aligned with the characters I play.

Growing up, what was the first thing you saw on TV that made you feel seen?

Little Miss Jocelyn. Except for her [Jocelyn Jee Esien], there wasn’t much black female character comedy out there. She was definitely a pioneer. It means so much to see people who look like you, doing what you want to do.

But I also had role models who didn’t necessarily look like me. As a teenager, I watched and listened to so much comedy – Catherine Tate, Alan Partridge – because I think that’s how you hone it. Take in as much as possible and work out what you like.

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The Franchise is available to stream on Sky and NOW.

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