Daisy May Cooper, a renowned comedian, has openly shared the challenging path she and her brother Charlie traversed before their acclaimed series, "This Country," achieved widespread recognition. Their journey was marked by significant setbacks, including a disheartening rejection from ITV, which left them struggling with considerable financial burdens. It was the BBC that eventually recognized their unique talent, providing a crucial lifeline that propelled their careers forward. Cooper also delved into her remarkable physical transformation, addressing the public's perception of her weight loss and the subsequent impact on her comedic persona. Her candid reflections highlight the pressures artists face, not just in their craft but also in managing their public image.
The siblings' initial concept for "This Country" was born out of their shared experiences and observations while living together in London. Daisy, attending RADA, and Charlie, working at Topshop after leaving university, found solace in reminiscing about their hometown in Cirencester. This nostalgic sentiment evolved into the foundation for their mockumentary, a project they meticulously developed during their night cleaning shifts back home. Their dedication led to the creation of initial scripts and filmed scenes, which they submitted to various production companies. Daisy emphasized that their dire circumstances fueled their determination, stating, "We had to be at that kind of rock bottom with everything else to be able to gamble like that."
Despite their fervent efforts, ITV's response was a crushing blow. After seeing the pilot, the broadcaster deemed it "awful" and withdrew their support. This rejection, coupled with their production company also dropping them, plunged Daisy and Charlie into despair. Daisy recounted her fear for Charlie's mental state, as he left the house after the news, prompting her to worry he might "do something stupid." The situation worsened when their agent informed them they were bound by a contract, preventing them from pitching their idea elsewhere without buying back the rights for a staggering £300,000—a sum far beyond their means. "We didn't have a pot to p*** in," Daisy recalled, illustrating their extreme financial hardship.
Undeterred, Daisy's resolve remained unbroken. She took a bold step, directly contacting a BBC commissioner, sending him their original scripts and clips. Her persistence paid off, as she received an email that very night inviting them to a meeting. In an extraordinary turn of events, their show, "This Country," was commissioned in the same hour as Phoebe Waller-Bridge's "Fleabag." The BBC also graciously agreed to cover their accumulated debts, saving them from the impossible task of repurchasing their own intellectual property. "This Country" went on to achieve critical acclaim, running for three successful series and earning Daisy a Bafta for Best Female Comedy Performance.
However, the show's future was curtailed by Daisy's significant weight loss, a transformation of ten stone that made reprising her character, Kerry Mucklowe, unfeasible. She humorously remarked that Kerry would have to have "a tapeworm" for her to play the role again. Her physical change also attracted criticism, with some viewers claiming she was "no longer funny." Daisy vehemently rejected this notion, asserting her right to prioritize her health and happiness. She pointed out the double standards women in comedy often face, questioning why humor should be intrinsically linked to body size. This new physique also necessitated delays in filming for her BBC comedy "Am I Being Unreasonable?" as her appearance had changed drastically between seasons, leading to humorous discussions about including disclaimers for her lip fillers and weight loss.
In a final reflection, Daisy and Charlie are now embarking on new projects, exploring unscripted content. While "This Country" may not return in its original form, the duo's creative spirit continues to thrive. Their journey from being dropped and indebted to achieving widespread success and critical acclaim stands as a testament to their resilience and unique comedic vision. Despite the challenges, Daisy's unwavering belief in their work and the timely intervention of the BBC transformed their fortunes, solidifying their place in British comedy.
