With an extended second series, including a Christmas special, and talk of the show being re-made for America, Spy has been nothing short of a hit — and leading man Darren Boyd scooped a British Comedy Award and a BAFTA for his portrayal of the permanently baffled Tim Elliot, accidentally recruited to MI5 by mad boss The Examiner (Robert Lindsay). Darren and his co-star Rebekah Staton, who plays the feisty MI5 colleague Tim’s keen on, told TV Choice more…

Darren, congratulations on your awards!
Darren Boyd: Thank you!

Did you think you had a good chance?
Darren Boyd: I’ll be honest, for the Comedy Awards I was supposed to be going on holiday, but then somebody involved with the Awards sort of suggested that it would be in my best interests if I was to be there that night. The BAFTA absolutely floored me, though. I genuinely was properly shocked. It was a lovely, lovely surprise.

And where is your BAFTA?
Darren Boyd: When you come off you go backstage and do the Kate Thornton bit when she asks how you’re feeling, and you can’t speak because you’re sweating and your mouth is like a Buddhist’s plimsoll. And she asks the question and you’d already had the thought, ‘Someone’s going to ask what you’re going to do with the BAFTA, and you should have a funny answer.’ So of course she asks me, and I hilariously said, ‘I’m going to put it on the shelf, just above the TV.’

Rebekah Staton: Nailed it!

What do you think captured the imagination about the first series of Spy?
Darren Boyd: I think the writing has a lot to do with it. It was conceived differently originally, it was not going to be quite so family-friendly, but as it is now it’s still got a nice bit of bite to it. Parents are happy watching it with kids, kids think it's cool enough to watch with their parents.

Rosie Cavaliero, who played mad social worker Paula has left the show…
Darren Boyd: … and we’ve got a new counsellor as part of the ongoing custody battle for Tim’s son Marcus, played by Miles Jupp [best known for his role as posh, kilt-wearing Archie The Inventor in CBeebies cult favourite Balamory]. You just wait — if we can have a counsellor who’s madder than Paula was, we’ve got it — it’s brilliant. And the wonderful Mark Heap [Darren’s former Green Wing co-star, who played the deranged Dr Alan Statham] replaces Tom Goodman-Hill as Marcus’ headmaster.

And what’s the relationship like this series between Tim and The Examiner?
Darren Boyd: Much like it was before — for whatever reason The Examiner thinks Tim is the best thing since sliced bread and always has that sort of sycophantic appreciation of him.

So is it a boys’ club when you’re filming, Rebekah?
Rebekah Staton: Oh, I love it! I have two older brothers, so I’m very comfortable. Last year we were playing a lot of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on someone’s iPad. And Robert and I won, and we got told off for screaming and having our pictures taken with the iPad. I can’t wait! Bring it on!

Sky1, Friday

Martina Fowler