Brendan O’Carroll reveals the inspiration for plots ahead of a fifth season of UK comedy.
A fifth season of Mrs Brown’s Boys, starring Brendan O’Carroll, is set to debut in the UK, but not yet scheduled in Australia.
The four episode series was filmed between May and June.
What does the new series have in store for Agnes? What can viewers look forward to?
BO: The mini-series focuses on the continuing life in the Brown family and surrounding households in Finglas. Cathy gets involved with a podcast producer, which obviously is commandeered by Agnes, Winnie and Birdy. Granddad decides that he wants to leave the family home for a care home, Agnes of course packs his bags for him. Winnie’s husband’s car, which has been lying up for ten years, is pressed into action by Winnie, leading to a disastrous driving test which ends with a huge shock for the Brown family. In Foley’s lounge bar, Father Damien stages his annual Finglas talent show, with some hilarious entries. All capped off with a wonderfully hilarious “trip” as Agnes is confined to a mobile chair.
How do you approach writing for the show? Did you do so differently for this series than you do for the specials?
BO: The writing of the mini-series is much more relaxing for myself and Paddy Houlihan, who joins me as a writer. With the Christmas Specials, I have to keep it within the Christmas period (including the Christmas trees which have emerged as their own event), unlike the specials we can focus on anything, within reason.
How did the ideas for the episodes this series come about?
BO: The ideas for these episodes are no different from the previous 53 episodes. Believe it or not most of the story lines are based on true events that either happened to my family or have been told to me by people about their families. Everybody has a story, and it’s quite common for someone in a family to say in the middle of a family disaster, “This is like an episode of Mrs. Brown’s Boys“.
Did you have a favourite moment filming this series?
BO: Oh yeah, Having Agnes on that mobility scooter was such fun. She goes nuts, with hilarious consequences. Also in the “Talent Show” episode I love the interaction between Agnes and Granddad. Look, in every episode there is something that stands out for me, I love being Agnes Brown and I love her family, and her neighbours like Winnie and Birdy.
Mrs Brown’s Boys screens in Austraia on Seven.