The cast of the new BBC series Two Weeks In August has shared the significance of a hidden detail in the show's opening scene. The series, written by Catherine Shepherd, follows a group of friends on a summer holiday in Greece that descends into chaos after an illicit kiss.
In the first episode, viewers meet married couple Zoe and Dan, played by Jessica Raine and Damien Molony, who are struggling financially and emotionally. During an improvisation, the actors developed a backstory that led to a subtle visual clue: pasta packets visible in their suitcase. Damien Molony explained: 'Jess had this incredible line in the improv about having to pack pasta in our luggage because we knew we wouldn't be able to afford food on the island. So much so that they actually put it in the scene.' Jessica Raine added: 'Three bags!'
The detail highlights the couple's financial strain, a theme that runs through the series. Antonia Thomas, who plays Jess, noted: 'The journey of the fish is really good... the financial differences in the couples. I don't think we see that very much. A lot of people are in that position where you're like, I can't afford €200 for the kitty.'
The series, which airs on Saturday nights on BBC One and iPlayer, follows Zoe as she acts on her desires, turning the holiday into a nightmare. The synopsis teases: 'When they discover they are trapped on the island, and become faced with real life-or-death situations, the group soon turn on each other to find out who is to blame.'
