“There’s a lot of tragedy in comedy”: Elena Saurel on Buffering season two

BAFTA-winning comedian Iain Stirling (a voice many will readily recognise from Love Island) took the brave call in 2021 to mine his own past for comedy gold in the form of ITV comedy series Buffering. Centring around his memories of being a millennial in his late 20s, it follows a fictionalised version of himself, also named Iain – a kids’ TV presenter – and his group of friends, who may experience romantic and professional failures galore, but always get each other through. Now the show is back for season two, and is even funnier and sillier, delivering on its promise of sending up the British millennial experience with one-liners like “They don’t have quiche at house parties in Euphoria“. Ahead of the new episodes landing on ITV2 and ITVX, The Upcoming had the chance to hear from Elena Saurel (The Batman, Industry, Killing Eve), who plays Iain’s on-and-off girlfriend, Olivia, about what makes the series special, her own experiences of being 20 and her recent and forthcoming projects.

For those coming fresh to Buffering, can you give a brief intro to what sets the show apart? 

Buffering deals with the concept of “adulting” – the inconvenience and annoyance of growing up, particularly for snowflake millennials who seem to be constantly overwhelmed by existential crises. The show is unique in its accurate, yet humorous/goofy depiction of this. Plus there’s an inappropriate Lizard Puppet who, unlike our human cast, seems to have it all. 

How would you describe Olivia? What aspects of her can you relate to and in what ways are you different? 

Olivia is a hardworking career woman who struggles with work-life balance. Work is her life! And a welcome, unhealthy distraction from her shambolic personal life. She’s the producer of Flummox Live (Iain and Larry the Lizard’s popular kids’ TV show); she’s also Iain’s on-and-off again, nagging girlfriend. I really feel for Olivia: it’s hard for her to let go and enjoy experiences just as they are. Instead, she rushes through life tackling every encounter as a task that needs to be done… In that respect, we are very different, however, I can at times be a nag and I love to work. 

The script so wittily and accurately captures the reality of being a late-20s millennial. What stood out to you when you first read it?

When I first read the original pilot, I remember finding Olivia and Iain’s secret and shameful affair hilariously accurate. When you hit your mid/late 20s, you often beat yourself up for doing things that you know aren’t good for you and you should have grown out of by now. It’s like eating McDonald’s: you know it’s bad for you but it’s comforting and tastes so good. In this season, the crew deals with a lot, reluctantly watching and comparing themselves to their peers who are growing up and getting on with the next stages in adult life (career, marriage, houses, kids), forcing them to analyse their life choices and where they’re at. 

This is such a personal project for Iain Stirling as creator and playing a younger version of himself. What was it like working with him? To what extent do you think fact is mixed with fiction?

He’s wonderful! Charming, charismatic, chatty, full of zest and pep for filming. I think the show plays on themes that are personal and relatable to anyone who’s an “adult” – it’s very factual in that respect. Although Iain is the main character, and Buffering is loosely based on his life and early career as a kids’ TV presenter, the show explores a lot of themes and concepts that come from Steve Bugeja (co-creator, writer and showrunner). So, really, it’s a balanced mix of both Iain and Steve, which is what makes it so funny and relatable. Eleanor Tiernan, Jessie Cave and Janine Harouni also contributed to this season, giving their hilarious insight into the growing pains of posturing as a grownup. 

You can never be 100% sure how a TV show will be received. How did it feel to have such a positive response to season one?

It’s always so surprising and wonderful when people respond positively to something you’re a part of. I hope people enjoy season two even more!

What can audiences expect from this season and your character? Iain has called it “sillier” than season one – would you agree? What else might be different?

It’s definitely lighter and sillier than season one, more absurd and playful. Olivia feels more confident in her own skin, less terrified and maybe a little bit more relaxed. She’s taken a chill pill. 

You must all have had a blast on set! What were some of the best moments? How did it feel to return to your character and with your fellow cast? Did you have a favourite guest star?

It’s so much fun! I love catching up and goofing around with everyone. Sadly I didn’t get to spend as much time on set as I would have liked this season; my filming days were crammed together because I had another shoot scheduled at the same time. I had mega FOMO when seeing social media posts of everyone working together without me. My favourite guest star still is and always will be Larry the Lizard. There was also a hysterical featured role by Will Close – he had me in stitches.

Does much of what happens in the series echo your own experience of being in your 20s?

Yes and no. In my 20s, I worked in retail and as a dog walker struggling to get my acting career off the ground (it’s still a struggle). I had no stability, or real direction, was often doubting myself and comparing myself to my peers (still do). I think my father around that time once compared me to the character of Frances Halladay in Noah Baumbach’s movie Frances Ha. Not sure it was a compliment? 

Like the best sitcoms, there are a lot of laughs but also a lot of heart. What do you think people can take away from watching Buffering? Would you say humour is an antidote to pressure most people feel in their 20s, made all the worse by social media?

100% social media and life in general: the humour makes light of the fact that we are all struggling to find our way, and no one really has their shit together, it’s just a filter. I think people will really enjoy and resonate with the crew’s tight-knit friendships, the way they support and find comfort in each other’s neuroses, successes and shortcomings, like real friendship groups where you lean on each other to try and make sense of the world around you and yourself through their love and support. 

You’ve racked up some incredible acting credits in the last few years, from The Batman to Killing Eve, Breeders to Industry. What have been the highlights for you? Do you find it easy to hop between film and TV, drama and comedy? 

Every production is a highlight with its own unique high points. Just getting hired and being part of something bigger, being on set, being able to contribute to a production brings me so much joy. I love both! For whatever reason, comedy is a genre that I really resonate with and is often my go-to – maybe because I cry all the time? There’s a lot of tragedy in comedy. I love trying new things, being pushed out of my comfort zone, figuring out how to embody someone other than myself. I find it all to be so much fun, and at times it reveals parts of myself that I wasn’t aware of. 

Can you tell us what projects you have on the horizon?

I can indeed! I have just wrapped on a new Amazon pilot, Open Book, which is loosely based on the life and career of the sensational Jessica Simpson. I  was also a small part in the latest Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, so hopefully my tiny cameo makes the final edit, but you never know with these big films! Fingers crossed. For the better part of a year, I have been recording Octonauts: Above and Beyond, where I play a new member of the Octonaut gang, Selva, a botanist iguana. I play a sassy Cinderella in Seven Bears, a new Netflix cartoon for Eens. I’m also aiming/hoping to continue collaborating, making personal projects and directing more. But hopefully more jobs. Let’s see!

Do you have any bucket list ambitions for your career? A director or actor you’d love to work with or a genre you’d like to venture into?

Yes, I do have a big bucket list – I’d say it’s bigger than a bucket.! And I have super realistic ambitions, obviously… I would love to play a lead in an awesome/alternative feature or series directed by budding, unknown directors such as Ben Stiller, Jason Bateman, Ruben Östlund, Duncan Jones, David Wain, Sophia Coppola, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Guest… starring opposite completely unknown actors such as Sam Rockwell, Julia Roberts, Jessica Chastain, Patricia Arquette, Benicio del Toro, Kate Winslet, Steve Carell, Frances McDormand, Rosario Dawson, Steve Buscemi, Robert De Niro, Kathryn Hahn, Gaby Hoffmann, Mads Mikkelsen, Carrie Coon… But mostly Sam Rockwell – I love the work he does and I think he’s such an incredible chameleonic actor. I find him thrilling and so inspiring. Basically, I love you Sam Rockwell! In all seriousness, I would love to be an integral part (role) of an alternative creative production. I have always been very envious of actors who get the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a big role, transform and be forced out of their comfort zone. It seems so creative, rewarding and cathartic. I’m hoping for that. I would love to be part of a creative endeavour like that, whether it be a play, series or movie. I also have budding ambitions to keep making and start directing more seriously. 

Sarah Bradbury
Photo: Ruth Crafer

Buffering season two is released on ITV2 and ITVX at 10.05pm on 30^th January 2023.