Lenny Rush stars in "The Reluctant Vampire," a new BBC comedy adapted from Eric Morecambe's classic books. The show was written specifically for Rush by a team that previously worked on "Alan Partridge" and "Am I Being Unreasonable?".
Executive producer Shane Allen, who loved the original Morecambe books as a young person, worked on those earlier shows and brought Rush on board. The scripts were created with Rush in mind, though he downplays the special treatment. "I'm so happy they were so good," Rush says. "I'd have felt awful if they said 'We've written this for you' and …" he trails off, gesturing with exaggerated politeness.
Rush compares the tone to absurdist comedy films like "The Naked Gun" and "Airplane!", built from awkwardness and commitment to ridiculous premises. The writing taps into a longer comic tradition that includes characters talking to bats and gargoyles, invisible women surprising characters mid-scene, and surreal humour that relies on deadpan delivery.
The 18-year-old Rush won a Bafta early in his career. He sees "The Reluctant Vampire" as a show for all ages, not just children. "Sometimes things are labelled as a family show but they're aimed at kids," he says. "I really do get the feeling that The Reluctant Vampire is for everyone."
The role of Val, the reluctant vampire at the show's centre, marks another significant step in Rush's young career. He cites David Brent as an influence and discusses the experience of growing in the public eye.