Rebekah Staton Gets Real

By June Ramli

Acclaimed British actress Rebekah Staton, best known for her standout performances in Raised by Wolves, Life, and The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies, returns to Australian screens in The Cleaner—a hit British comedy series now available on BritBox.
In Season 3, Episode 6 (“The Wedding”), Staton plays Vivien Mammot, the forceful matriarch of a high-society family whose lavish celebration takes a dark turn after a brutal assault. As crime-scene cleaner Wicky (played by Greg Davies) tries to clean up the mess—literally and figuratively—Vivien struggles to keep up appearances, juggling family dysfunction and blood-stained wedding linens with biting composure.
I caught up with Rebekah to discuss her experience on the show, her career, and her advice for aspiring actors.

Q: Congratulations on your role in The Cleaner! The show is fairly new to Australian audiences—how did this opportunity come about?

It’s such a successful show in the UK, and it’s had a wonderful lineup of guest stars over the seasons—people like Helena Bonham Carter and Jo Hartley. So to be included in that group felt like quite an honour. I really loved the “story of the week” format. As a viewer, I find that structure refreshing. You see different stories and new guest stars each time, and I wanted to be a part of that.

Q: What drew you specifically to the role of Vivien Mammot?

I loved the theatricality of the episode—it’s dramatic and messy in all the right ways. Vivien’s trying to hold it all together at this disaster of a wedding, and there’s something deliciously fun about playing a woman who’s icy, commanding, and absolutely determined to see things through despite the chaos.

Q: What was it like working with Greg Davies, who not only stars in but also writes and produces the show?

An absolute pleasure! I’m a tall woman, he’s a tall man—it’s wonderful when we get to be on screen together, because I get to wear the heels I like! But fashion aside, it was a real joy. I’m a massive fan of Taskmaster, and I love Greg’s writing. He’s also a fellow Midlander, so I really understood the rhythm of his scripts. I could hear how he wanted it to be performed as I read it.

Q: Did you have to do any special preparation for this role? Did you meet any real crime-scene cleaners?

(Laughs) That’s Greg’s role—I don’t actually play the cleaner! But I did need to understand weddings and the ways people behave during them. Years ago, I was the voiceover for a show called Don’t Tell the Bride, where the groom plans the wedding and the bride finds out on the day. That show gave me all the preparation I needed for how awful people can be to each other at weddings!

Q: Without giving too much away, was there a particularly memorable or bizarre moment while filming your episode?

I don’t want to ruin it for viewers, but I’ll just say one word: cake. When they see the episode, they’ll understand.

Q: The Cleaner is a comedy, but it deals with some dark subject matter. Do you think humour helps make it more palatable?

It’s still very clear that murder is awful business, and we should all avoid it! But the show is definitely about laughing at ourselves. It delivers the message with humour, and that’s important. We need to be able to find levity in the absurdities of life.

Q: Why do you think British audiences are so drawn to crime dramas?

I think people are naturally intrigued by stories where there’s a big problem that seems unsolvable—and then by the end, it is solved. It’s very satisfying. With The Cleaner, you get that structure, but with comedy instead of suspense. It’s a different spin.

Q: Let’s talk a bit about your background—how did you get started in acting?

I wanted to act from a very young age. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) when I was 17. My big break came soon after in a TV show called State of Play, which starred Bill Nighy, James McAvoy, and David Morrissey. I played a secretary—usually a small role—but the writing was by Paul Abbott, who is just brilliant. The lines were so good that even in a small part, I had the chance to shine. It was an incredible start to my career.

Q: What types of roles do you enjoy playing most?

I love variety. I became an actor because I didn’t want to play the same character again and again. I want people to get to the end of a show and go, “Wow, that was her?” Transformation is what I’m chasing—being different every time.

Q: Do you have a dream role?

I do! I’d love to take on the leading ladies in Chekhov’s plays. That’s still on the bucket list. And one day, I’d love to be in a Sondheim musical. That would be a dream come true.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring actors trying to break into the industry?

Don’t wait. Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to chase your dream. We all have these little devices in our hands—our phones—and you can make a movie starring you right now. It’s an amazing time to be alive. Take your dream in hand and go for it. Life is short. Do it now. And find a way to earn money that makes you feel good, is kind, and doesn’t hurt anyone.

Q: One last one—do you personally enjoy watching crime dramas or documentaries?

I love it all—dramas, comedies, everything. When I was a little girl, I once climbed behind the TV trying to get inside it! I didn’t want to be in a crime documentary, though—definitely not my thing in real life. But TV? I absolutely love it.

Rebekah Staton stars as Vivien Mammot in The Cleaner, streaming now on BritBox Australia. Catch her brilliant performance in the dramatic and darkly funny “Wedding” episode—then look out for her next major appearance in an upcoming Apple TV+ drama, soon to be announced.