Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge explains why Hot Priest is able to break the fourth wall.
Waller-Bridge’s acclaimed series Fleabag follows a 30-year-old woman as she struggles to come to terms with the death of her friend and the end of her relationship. Fleabag remains unnamed throughout the series although the relationship she holds with the audience is intimate. In fact, Waller-Bridge often breaks the fourth wall by making cheeky side-remarks directly to the camera.
For the entire first season, we are lead to believe that it is just us that’s in on Fleabag’s secret. In season two, however, we meet the Hot Priest. He not only notices that Fleabag speaks to us but even breaks the fourth wall himself.
In her BAFTA Television session, Waller-Bridge explains her decision to have Hot Priest speak directly to the camera.
“[Fleabag] has a relationship with the camera the whole way through and it was interesting to have somebody who has a similar thing,” she said. “He’s mirrored ’cause he has God. And she’s witnessed by the camera the whole way through and in the end, the big question for her is whether or not she can let go of the camera.
“And he’s witnessed by God the whole time and is always having to check into that the whole time. And in the end he has the same question, so I just felt like it would be a really good way to mirror each other’s journeys.”
You can watch Fleabag on BBC iPlayer.
