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TELEVISION
Charlotte Mitchell says Gabby – a gay socialite doing community service because of her drink and drug issues – was a jewel of a character to dress
Outlaw chic
When shooting wrapped on Stephen Merchant’s new series, over in the principal costume truck its head of wardrobe shared the sartorial processes behind the dressing of the diverse, star-studded cast. Words by Amanda Nicholls
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erchant’s long-standing passion project for the BBC follows seven strangers, from different walks of life, forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol. As unlikely new friendships intersect with complicated private lives, the outlaws must unite to protect one of their own from the city’s dangerous criminal gang, the Brook Hill Crew, reminding us that no one is all good or all bad. As well as the different shades of our humanity, the six-part series –the first Merchant has made in his hometown – showcases both beautiful and not so beautiful corners of the city and utilises local talent, including Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja who has composed the music. Part crime thriller, part character study – with humour and heart – there are draws for fans of comedy, drama and, of course, Merchant as well as those enamoured by Bristol sights and sounds. The sartorial spectrum of its characters, and how it adds to the storytelling, is reason enough to watch, too. Fashion queen Lady Gabriella Penrose Howe (played by Eleanor Tomlinson; Poldark, The War of the Worlds) might have us reaching for our phones to try and shop the look,`but there’s more to the costume creation than any visual inspiration. Getting it right is key
20 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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OCTOBER 2021
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NO¯ 203
to the social commentary and the team needed to keep it real while also tasked with elevating the show in line with televisual values. A character can say a lot with what they’re wearing, so the wardrobe department can help save on precious words in the script – in which case, we wondered, are stereotypes a good starting point in terms of time-saving, or something to guide viewers away from in case they perpetuate certain ideas? Are they a help or a hindrance? “It’s very dependent on the job and The Outlaws has really shown that to me,” says the series’ Bristol-based costume designer Charlotte Mitchell (Killing Eve, Harlots). “My job, I believe, does start by stereotyping; initially looking at the character on the page and building an image of them. Just because of our own biases, stereotypes are always involved. With The Outlaws it’s about making sure I don’t make clichés. In any job it’s about that but sometimes you do want to because it’s right for the character and part of the humour. This show is part comedy, part drama though, so I’m conscious not to; instead letting the comedy come through in the dialogue.” It’s been important to give integrity to the class systems and ethnic backgrounds of characters. “Stephen’s been really keen to write that in and make this group become a gang in their own right and unite
