In new BBC2 comedy Spent, Michelle de Swarte plays a washed-up catwalk model trying to adapt to a life of poverty. She knows the modelling world very well too as Michelle was scouted by a modelling agency at 19, and now she’s put her memories of her successful modelling career to good use by creating this new show. She also stars in it too, playing Mia, a former catwalk model who is now unemployed, broke and homeless.
"To have my first commission as a writer for the BBC seems like some sort of fever dream," Michelle says. "The shows I watched growing up are like landmarks in my memory, so to be able to share a space with those shows in someone else's mind is more than I ever thought possible!"
Here’s everything you need to know about the six-part series Spent on BBC2…
Spent release date
Spent is a six-part comedy series starting on BBC2 on Monday July 8 2024 at 9pm and playing out weekly. The series will also be available as a box set on BBCiPlayer. If there's an international or US air date or channel channel we'll update here.
Is there a Spent trailer?
Yes there's a teaser trailer and official Spent trailer released by the BBC. Take a look at both below...
Spent plot
Spent follows Mia, a former catwalk model who is now on the run. Mia is used to the finer things in life but at nearly 40 her career is over, she’s skint and she’s resorted to sofa surfing. We’re told that, "she may have a high falutin’ attitude and a world class skincare regime but Mia’s now living on the breadline". Long term it’s a story of personal renewal but for now, the stark reality is that her career is over, she’s flat broke and she’s homeless. This is a woman who despite her humble beginnings has become accustomed, possibly even addicted, to the finer things in life.
Spent cast — Michelle de Swarte on playing Mia
Spent writer Michelle de Swarte stars as the washed-up model Mia. She had a hugely successful modelling career herself, having modelled for Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger and Cartier. She then turned to comedy and has appeared on numerous shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Live at the Apollo, Comedy Lab and The Last Leg. Michelle appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2009 and last year she starred in the Sky Atlantic/HBO comedy horror series The Baby. She also played Bev in The Duchess.
At a 2024 BBC comedy showcase event, Michelle de Swarte said: 'While the characters are fictional, they sort of are a springboard for the show, which is post fashion. There's a lot of shows that speak about, like, getting into the fashion industry, so I have first hand experience of getting spat out the other end with gravity. So yes, this is something where I could draw from my own experience. But all the characters are made up."
South Londoner Michelle who modelled for the likes of Gucci, Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger also adds: "I’d describe Mia as charismatic, trouble and fun. The show begins with her in New York facing bankruptcy. I’d say 20% of the show is autobiographical. However, unlike Mia I stopped modelling at 30 and started doing stand up.
"It was nice to show what it’s like to come out the other side of fashion and see someone starting from scratch again. The modelling world is not all glitz and glamour. Anyone who’s gone for overspending to fill a void in their life will relate to it and so will anyone who’s had to move back home when things have gone wrong!"
Who else is starring in Spent?
Spent also features Juliet Cowan (Am I Being Unreasonable) as Mia’s mum, Chrissy who has no idea her daughter is penniless and working as a dog-sitter to bring in cash. Delroy Brown (Scott & Bailey), Amanda Wilkin (Am I Being Unreasonable?), Victoria Alcock (Bad Girls), Alaa Habib (The Power) and newcomer Levi Brown. Other stars include Matt King, Jamali Maddix, Karl Collins, Eleanor Nawal and Rachel Ofori.
Behind the scenes and more on Spent
Spent is produced by BAFTA award-winning production company Various Artists Ltd. (Juice, I May Destroy You, Such Brave Girls, Sally4Ever). It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy. It is written by Michelle De Swarte and the Executive Producers are Jack Bayles (Catastrophe, Such Brave Girls, This Way Up) and Phil Clarke (I May Destroy You, Peep Show, Such Brave Girls). The BBC Commissioning Editor is Tanya Qureshi (I May Destroy You, Am I Being Unreasonable?). BBC Studios, who have a minority investment stake in Various Artists Limited, are handling international distribution.
