Across all three series of Changing Ends, Dotty Davies plays her first cast role of Kay, and has also filmed for the upcoming Series 4, which as yet hasn’t got a release date. With Changing Ends being a comedy series based on the childhood of Alan Carr, Dotty’s character Kay is the best friend of Young Alan Carr, who is portrayed by Oliver Savell, with Shaun Dooley, Nancy Sullivan and Taylor Fay also in the cast playing Alan’s family. Dotty has further screen experience, having worked on shows including Lagging, Gentleman Jack, Traces and Anne Boleyn, with the latter having filmed during the coronavirus lockdown. Speaking with Dotty, she told us about playing Kay in comedy series Changing Ends, what it’s like portraying the best friend of Young Alan Carr (Oliver Savell) and what she enjoys most about being involved with the series.
For those unfamiliar with Changing Ends, what can you say about the show, and how would you describe your character Kay?
Changing Ends is a pure blast of 80s nostalgia, stories told through the insightful and incredibly witty lens of a young Alan Carr. It mixes laugh-out-loud humour with gut-punchingly poignant moments about growing up gay at a time when attitudes were very different to now. Kay is Alan’s best friend, whether he wants her to be or not, and she’s a shadow at his side (or a Victorian ghost, as his bullies mock) through thick and thin.
There are three series – 18 snappy episodes available to stream on ITVX, Disney+ and elsewhere – each less than half an hour, so the perfect binge-watch, with more to come.
How has it been developing the character throughout all three series released so far, and what are you looking forward to for the release of Series 4?
It’s been incredible to have the opportunity to explore how Kay develops during her pivotal tween and teen years. It’s rare to meet someone like Kay: confident in her own difference and consistently supportive of her friends, even in the face of adversity. It’s lovely to see how, with false starts and wrong directions, her friendship with Alan matures into a lasting bond.
Many friendships in life start out unequal. It’s clear that, while Alan is Kay’s number one, she is often his fallback plan or afterthought. It’s great to explore that dynamic, and see how their relationship shifts over time.
I can’t wait to see how Series 4 is received. Ollie (Savell) reaches whole new levels, and we start to see the Alan of today we all know and love emerging. If the BAFTA team realised how different Ollie is from the genuine character he portrays, he’d be a winner three times over by now. The storylines around inclusion, acceptance and family bonds, as Alan continues to become more self-aware, will bring tears as well as lots of laughter.
Do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked Kay for your first cast role?
I found out over the phone, and was delighted. It was a very quick online audition process, so at first I assumed it was a recall, not an actual offer. I had to turn cartwheels in the garden to shake off the huge burst of energy I got from such great news.
What was it like meeting Alan Carr for the first time, and how is it being involved with a comedy series based on his childhood?
Alan is genuinely interested in everyone he meets, and remembers even the smallest details about people. I definitely heard him before we first met. I turned a corner and he was making cups of tea at the brew station for himself and some of the crew. That’s Alan.
His curiosity and kindness stretch far beyond the set too – celebrating successes and supporting you outside the show, not just on set.
What is it like being in the Changing Ends cast (which includes Oliver Savell as Young Alan Carr), and what are some of your stand-out highlights from being on set of the first four series?
On and off set has been incredible. Ollie is so different to little Alan, and we have a brilliant time catching up. Last summer, Ollie and I watched Coldplay at Wembley – his first-ever gig – and we dressed as stars. We always have a laugh.
A stand-out moment for me was arriving at the Series 2 read-through. It wasn’t until I saw my nameplate on the top table that I realised I was now main cast. Turning the pages of the script and hearing the laughs as Kay lurches from disaster to embarrassment, and sighs when she’s kind, was the best feeling ever.
Another highlight was spending time with Cariad Lloyd during Series 2. She plays a truly dramatic drama teacher, and we love reading the same books and observational humour. We did impromptu choreography off-camera for a disco scene once, and Dave (Lambert), the director, said we needed to audition for Legs Eleven.
Have you had any favourite scenes or episodes to film from the three series already released?
I don’t want to give any spoilers to those who haven’t seen it, but I think my favourite parts are the messy stunts. Kay often gets caught in the crossfire of Alan’s misdemeanours but mostly takes it on the chin.
Some of my favourite scenes are at Alan’s house. Kay gets some great clothes, and the costume designer Heather (MacVean) is a genius at sourcing vintage 80s stuff. Shaun Dooley’s face when he opened the front door to me in one particularly crazy outfit was a picture! He is full of joy, and it spills out everywhere, creating such a warm feeling and great energy on set.
I love scenes where Kay’s awkwardness contrasts with Alan’s mum Christine’s (Nancy Sullivan) directness, and also where she gets to have the conversations with Alan that matter.
What is Kay like to play and what do you feel you’ve learnt from filming so far?
The best thing by far has been the support and opportunities to learn by watching incredible performers like Shaun Dooley, Cariad Lloyd, Gabby Best, Nancy, Ollie, director Dave Lambert and more. They’ve helped me prep for auditions and recalls, and their kindness and generosity in sharing their skills is incredible.
A TV set is the best school ever. There’s so much to learn from the technical skills, the planning and logistics, to creativity and relationships. Juggling filming with education and hobbies also teaches a lot about motivation, work ethic and time management. You have to be dedicated, organised, resilient and flexible to make it work.
Do you have a process for learning scripts, and how do you typically prepare for auditions and new characters?
I learn lines easily, so focus on transforming a script into a genuine, fresh interaction between developed characters. Bouncing ideas off others and feeling immersed in the moment and the person I’m becoming is my favourite way to prepare. I thrive on live auditions rather than self-tapes, as my best quality work comes from interaction with the cast and director.
We understand you have also had appearances on Lagging, Gentleman Jack, Traces and Anne Boleyn; can you tell us about working on these shows?
They’ve been great fun – very different sets, casts and crews.
Anne Boleyn was in the midst of lockdown. The testing and safe distancing made filming even more complex than usual, exacerbated by temperatures of -10 as we were filming castle courtyard scenes and Anne’s beheading.
Lucy and Stacey at Articulate provide so many opportunities. I did some Ackley Bridge in lockdown too, at one time playing a cellist, but unfortunately my story arc was cut due to a pivotal main cast actor becoming ill.
Watching Suranne Jones at work on Series 2 of Gentleman Jack was inspiring, and I’ve had fun doing some improvised scenes as a walk-on in G’wed and Waterloo Road.
How did you get into acting and did you always know you wanted to act on screen?
I did plays and musical theatre as a child, and am a voracious reader. I liked to imagine and act out stories, bringing them to life from the page, as well as writing my own stories, poems and songs.
I was struck by how much influence and impact the programmes and films we watch have on our values, choices and tastes, and wanted to be part of that.
Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?
So many! I love The Princess Bride, have really enjoyed Good Omens and Enola Holmes, and watch a lot of topical news and comedy shows like QI, Taskmaster, The Mash Report and Have I Got News for You.
I love period dramas and improv shows too. I grew up on The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Terry Pratchett (Tiffany Aching is a dream role), and the classics. I also can’t resist a good box set series like Friends, Black Books, Pride and Prejudice, Stranger Things, The Mighty Boosh and The West Wing.
Of course, I was enthralled by The Celebrity Traitors. Go Alan!
How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend a lot of time outdoors on expeditions, camping, climbing, watersports and volunteering. I enjoy theatre and attending gigs with friends – I play the bass and sing, so enjoy jamming with them on my bass and singing and stage immersive theatre fundraising dinners – my favourite being MAMMA MIA!.
I work part-time as a DJ, party entertainer, lifeguard, tutor and outdoors instructor. Combining this with studying four A-levels and acting has been full-on and I’m celebrating the end of exams in June with some great gigs, and camping and watersports in the Lakes.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the acting industry?
The people.
Changing Ends is like my second family. The director Dave and producer Mollie (Freedman Berthoud), all the way through to Derek the driver and the exceptional actors mentioned earlier to the SAs, have become part of the fabric of my life. We connect and support each other between and beyond filming the series.
I also love the purpose of acting. I like to be part of telling important stories that don’t just entertain but reach into people’s homes to change hearts and minds. An inspiring show or film can change society for good. I want to be part of that, both writing and acting, to make an impact on issues like fairness, the environment and resolving conflict.
What are you hoping 2026 brings for your career, and do you have any upcoming projects that you can talk about?
I have a few irons in the fire, but these last few months have been mainly about my A-levels, so I am excited to see what this summer may bring!
I also plan to study International Relations and Sustainable Development alongside acting. Just like Changing Ends breaks ground in tackling attitudes to sexuality, my ideal roles for the future will be part of stories that reach beyond entertainment, change hearts and minds, and reach into people’s lives, bringing meaning and purpose to their audiences.
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