Wreck’s Miya Ocego and Ryan J. Brown unveil hidden Cher connection
"You could say there's a bit of Cher in the show"
The writer and one of the stars of the new BBC queer horror-comedy series, Wreck, have revealed a hidden connection between the show and the iconic singer, Cher.
Wreck sees Ladhood‘s Oscar Kennedy star as Jamie who boards the cruise ship The Sacramentum in search of his sister who went missing while working on the ship. Along the way, he makes new friends and must uncover the mystery of the ship as a killer dressed as a duck roams the halls and cabins.
Speaking exclusively to Attitude ahead of the show’s premiere on Sunday (9 October) writer Ryan J. Brown, and actress Miya Ocego spoke about the latter’s character, Rosie, who is The Sacramentum’s resident Cher tribute act.
Miya who is initially only seen fleetingly in the first episode dressed in full Cher attire just so happens to be a big Cher fan.
“When I got that character brief through, I was like, ‘Oh My God! They must have been stalking me!’ because I do the best Cher impersonation. And I had my little Cher top on for my first self-tape.”
The connections between Miya and the ‘Believe’ singer only grew from there as Miya was fitted for costumes and wigs. She was also given a boost (literally) by the show’s costume department.
“The heels I wore on the show were actually worn on Cher’s feet because one of the costume designers was on the set of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! So honestly, I was living my Cher fantasy.”
“You could say there’s a bit of Cher in the show,” chirps Ryan.
Hilariously though, Ryan adds that we never see Rosie sing as Cher in the show. “You never actually see the Cher tribute act do Cher.”
Miya adds, “Just these iconic looks”.
Ryan then goes on to explain what he wanted to do with Miya’s character. “I always had this image of throughout all the crazy having Miya as Rosie as Cher, which is so fun. Towards the end of the show, there’s this incredible moment, which is probably my favourite moment in the whole series, which is the elevator scene. There’s this powerful moment, that was always in the script, and it’s Miya on her own taking on the baddies dressed as Cher.
“It’s such a powerful moment and talking about people seeing themselves on screen that for me, is just, I mean I’m not even trans, but as a gay man, it’s seeing someone so powerful that’s from a group that right now, especially is having a terrible time of it,” he says in reference to the constant attacks on trans people in the media and online.
Ryan continues, “Whether you’re trans or not, it speaks to you. And it’s just one of the most powerful moments and then she’s dressed as Cher which is an extra level. It’s also one of Cher’s more low-key looks.”
Miya adds, “I think, with that moment there’s such an unwavering amount of strength through this character. And it’s what all people in the LGBTQ community have to have and are just born with. I think it’s just amazing to have that moment of strength.”
Ryan also shares that in meeting Miya he was influenced to add the moment in while he was finishing off the scripts for the show.
“Seeing you and understanding you and knowing how brave and just fierce you are, that definitely all went in there. I don’t know if Rosie would have had that moment towards the end if I hadn’t met you.”
Wreck is available to stream on the BBC iPlayer and