Actor and comedian Rob Brydon has said he initially resisted playing a fictionalised version of himself in The Trip, but ultimately enjoyed the experience and believed it made viewers more curious about the real people behind the characters.
The 61-year-old, best known for his role as Uncle Bryn in Gavin and Stacey, stars alongside Steve Coogan in the comedy series as exaggerated versions of themselves.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom, the series follows the pair as they travel around the world and visit a range of restaurants.
Brydon said he and Coogan initially considered the idea of playing themselves to be “a bit passé”, but eventually concluded that Winterbottom’s suggestion was the right one.
Speaking ahead of the series’ season five premiere in London, Brydon said he came to enjoy portraying a heightened version of himself despite his initial reservations.
“When [director Michael Winterbottom] first suggested it, we were both against the idea of playing versions of ourselves,” he said.
“But in fact, as ever, Michael was right because it just gives the show… you’re more curious about it. Is that how they really are?”