Revelling in the chaos with BBC Three’s ‘Just Act Normal’ siblings, Chenée Taylor and Akins Subair

Newcomers Chenée Taylor and Akins Subair break down their roles in the brand new BBC Three show ‘Just Act Normal’, embracing growing up and character development.

(L to R) Akins Subair, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie and Chenée Taylor in BBC Three's Just Act Normal

There’s something alluring about seeing chaos unfold and being an observer, untouched by it all. This isn’t the case for siblings Tiana, Tionne and Tanika played dutifully by Chenée Taylor, Akins Subair and Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie, respectively in the brand new drama comedy Just Act Normal, created by Janice Okoh. 

Living in Birmingham the siblings are desperately trying to stay out of care with older sister turned matriarch, Tiana, doing her best to hold the family together until she reaches 18 years-old. 

“I'm similar to Tiana,” Taylor explains when asked whether she’s like the character she plays. 

“I'd say in terms of, like, she's so independent, and that is, is me. I think because she's the oldest sibling, I'm the oldest sibling…I have that independence built in me as well. The way that she tries to figure everything out and is so against asking for help until she's on her last legs.” 

Tiana as a character takes on a lot of responsibility and the financial burden of her siblings and their household but at her heart she’s still a 17 year-old. She complains to her best friend about boys, gets up to hijinks (in the first episode she and her best friend steal a chicken for Tionne to kill) and goes partying with her girls. 

On the other hand, middle child Tionne, is living up to the stereotype. He’s a little odd but well-meaning, he “feels things quite intensely” Subair explains of his character. 

“Yet he’s much more impulsive than I am.. I like to think things through and take my time before I make a decision.” 

Both characters leave so much room for interpretation and grey space. Both Taylor and Subiar felt that it was important to craft their roles as young people trapped in an impossible situation with this in mind. With Tionne, Subiar talks about a “sense of ambiguity”, he wanted to be sure that the audience really understood that he was grappling with these unspoken emotions and that he was teetering on this ledge between “boy and man”.  

Akins Subair

“It was quite fun and invigorating, trying to leave every scene with that sense of ambiguity, because, you know, it's always a question mark over who and what he wants to become.” 

Tionne’s progression throughout the series is also a strong testament to Okoh’s original vision. Based on her 2013 play, Three Birds, it tells the same story but we’re forced off the stage and into the wider world. We are exposed to the idea that adults, even well-intentioned, can fail children through self involved interest over a duty of care to young people. 

Akins and Taylor are supported by a strong established cast. Singer Jamelia, steps in to play the siblings pseudo mother to appease school teachers and the wider community. Sam Buchanan plays Dr Feelgood, the siblings’ mother’s dealer boyfriend and Ivanno Jeramiah, plays the siblings’ half in, half out father.  

“I think when I first read the role the first thing that came to my head was, “how do I make her likable?” And I realised that I didn't have to make her likable. She could just be what she was on the page. I didn't have to force it. I didn't have to change it, so it was more palatable.” Taylor muses on playing a 17 year-old who still has much growing up to do. 

Chenée Taylor and Adam Little in Just Act Normal

From reading a script to booking a job, the duo reflect on filming in Birmingham and Coventry, set building “Like, the flat was massive. I was thinking, “this is not giving Council flat”” Taylor laughs. 

Outside of scripting the set was a key competent in developing the characters from page to screen. Just Act Normal’s Art Department created bedroom landscapes for each of the children, it helped them to become Tiana, Tionne and Tanika. Characterisation and successful world building really lies in a strong set to lean back on and Just Act Normal has this in spades, from school classrooms to beauty salons each set helps the audience to piece together a bit more about the siblings and their wider community. 

At its heart Just Act Normal is about banding together in difficult times and making mistakes as a young person, but it’s also highlighted an amazing group of new young actors and you couldn’t really ask for more. 

Just Act Normal is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.