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Merc is the charismatic Hollywood producer with boundless energy – his smile never leaves his face but the menace always lurks behind it.

"The show opens at the BAFTA awards where he comes upon Sean and Beverly who have just won their fourth BAFTA in a row," says John. "Merc kind of seduces and coerces them into coming to LA to make an American version of this pretty terrific show.

"When they enter the maw of Hollywood madness, the whole thing starts to unravel and their cultures clash. It's pretty funny, a lot of mayhem ensues and it is written by two very talented writers who have really got their fingers on the pulse."

John enjoyed playing Merc: "His self confidence and charisma is born out of being able to wield enormous power and he loves that. He thinks he's loyal to his wife, who has recently gone blind – but only in the sense that he doesn't consider leaving her all the while having affairs with other women.

"He's outrageous, and I don't think he's aware of just how hilarious he can be. There's a glorious scene when he goes after his staff for the horrible slate of pilots they have come up with for the season, when in fact he green-lit every single one of them.

"That sometimes happens with people in positions of power. Sometimes they do it to save face, for others it's just pathological, a way to convince themselves that it wasn't their fault. When Merc turns, it can be ugly!"

He adds: "As an American, reading these scripts, I just love the idea behind them, because it's a bit of a send-up. It's life in extreme situations, but it's not outside the realms of possibility. Crazy stuff goes on in Hollywood in the quest for the 'golden ring'. Lots of toes are stepped on and a lot of people get crushed under the heels of very powerful studio bosses.

"I find the fish out of water idea hilarious – this well-meaning couple who have a great deal of integrity, a strong belief in what they are doing from a moral and spiritual viewpoint. It's smart comedy."