Kimberley Nixon is a compelling yet relatable lead character; Danny Brockenhurst keeps momentum as this run of Ordinary Lies continues.
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The second episode in Ordinary Lies‘ new run turns the focus on to actress Kimberley Nixon. More commonly known for her roles in various comedy series – her portrayal of Josie in Fresh Meat still sticks with me as one of the funniest yet realistic portrayals of a girl at university around, while she also excelled in Hebburn – Nixon here proves she is by no means limited to one genre. Her dramatic performance as Holly, a woman who tells white lie upon white lie, until she’s buried in a mountain of untruths, is both compelling and scarily believable.
Because, come on, we’ve all done it haven’t we? A quick lie there, to impress the new kid at work – another to escape a row with a friend. Most of the time, you can get away with it. But lying quickly spirals out of control; as Holly finds out. Like Con O’Neill’s Joe last week, Holly is another extremely believable character created by Ordinary Lies writer Danny Brockenhurst. She’s at that twenty-something age, lost between adolescence and adulthood, discontent with the direction her life is going. She’s working far below her potential as PA to the big boss Jenna (Angela Griffin), and in a dysfunctional relationship with warehouse worker Neil (Noel Sullivan – yes, that’s ‘Noel from Hear’say’, commonly mentioned in equally Welsh comedy Gavin & Stacey). When she learns her teenage sweetheart, Adam (John MacMillan), is back in town, she fabricates a whole new life for herself.
Holly’s story carries a whole lot of truth in it, especially in her obsession with other people’s social media accounts and the great time they all seem to be having. As Jenna points out after Holly’s web of deceit comes crashing down: they are all lying just as much as her. It’s another stellar story from Brockenhurst, and is superbly acted by Nixon.
Ordinary Lies airs Tuesdays on BBC One at 9pm. Catch up with the first two episodes on BBC iPlayer.
