Jordan Gray: ‘I Want To Be British Transgender Tina Fey’

Ahead of her much anticipated return to the Edinburgh Fringe, C&TH catches up with Jordan Gray.

Interview: Jordan Gray

Hi Jordan, how’s life going at the moment?

That’s a massive question, isn’t it? On the one hand, my career is taking me to places I could never have dreamed of. On the other, my human rights are being eroded in front of my eyes. So I’d say… six out of 10?

You can currently be seen in Transaction on ITV, which you also wrote. Congratulations! Can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

After supermarket manager Nick Frost accidentally offends the LGBT+ community, he hires Liv (moi) to avoid a PR disaster… But Liv turns out to be an even bigger nightmare… And now he can’t fire her. To me, it’s Community but set during a supermarket night shift – and I love it.

THOMAS GRAY AS TOM, FRANCESCA MILLS AS MILLIE, NICK FROST AS SIMON, KAYLA MEIKLE AS BEEFY LINDA, JORDAN GRAY AS LIV in Transaction. (© Big Talk Studios/ITV)

The TV series started life as a series of shorts. What was it like expanding on that?

Dreamy. You get to dig into characters’ backstories and create webs of interaction. I’m a massive nerd for story-breaking. I just love TV.

You play Liv – how would you describe her?

One part Jeff Winger, two parts Jack Sparrow, one part Minnie Mouse. She is sort of a swashbuckling cartoon with a high IQ but no self-awareness. She’s a loveable agent of chaos.

What was the process of creating her like? Did you always know you wanted to be the actor to play her?

As comedians, we’re usually always writing shows as vehicles for our own comedy. I do sometimes wonder who else could have played Liv. Patti Harrisson would have crushed it. 

How did you get into character?

Put on a massive belt. The kind most women gave away to a charity shop in 2004. Apart from that, the haircut (think ‘evil panto queen’) always got me into character.  

Any standout moments from writing, rehearsals or filming?

There’s a scene later in the season where Liv (spoiler) gets frisky with a self-service scanner – and I really went for it. I’ve never felt so awkward. But it came out great.

Have you watched the full series back? What was your reaction to seeing it?

I’m an exec producer, baby! I’ve seen the whole thing a hundred times. I adore it. It’s hard at first seeing your baby being shaped by all these different hands (the channel, the producer, the director, the editor, the other actors) but honestly, everyone just wanted to make something special, so that’s what got made.

JORDAN GRAY AS LIV in Transaction. (© Big Talk Studios/ITV)

You’re also returning to the Fringe this summer. What can you tell us about your show?

My last show Is It A Bird? took off so fast in 2022, I was nervous bringing a new show into the world. But Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me? might turn out to be the best thing I’ve done. I got so many death threats after getting naked on TV in 2022; this new show speaks about how mad my life has become as a trans comedian in 2025.

How are you preparing for it?

Constantly asking my wife if it’s any good, then ignoring her when she says it’s great, because perfectionists can’t take compliments.

How do you generally psych yourself up before a performance?

I look up at the ceiling and say ‘thank you’. Not sure who to exactly. Not God. Maybe just the ceiling itself? Gratitude gets me ready for a show.

Any other projects in the pipeline you’re excited about?

I get to do so many cool things, I honestly forget until they’re happening. I’m reading an erotic letter on stage for Gilian Anderson at The Barbican on 9 July. That sort of thing is exciting.

What has been your favourite project to date?

Transaction has been my life for seven years – I love these characters and I want them to have long lives on TV. But my live show Is It A Bird? (now available on Channel 4) has truly changed my life. 

You started your career as a singer. Did you ever see yourself going into comedy when you were younger?

Never. All rockstars want to be comedians and all comedians want to be rockstars. I was (and still am) the biggest nerd. It’s mad to me that it took a total career change to ‘comedian’ to finally get to play guitar on stage and feel cool.

Who is your favourite comedian to watch?

Maria Bamford. One of the best to ever do it.

Which comedian inspires you?

Natalie Palamides, Elf Lyons, Courtney Parouso, Zach Zucker. Basically any trained clowns; I think they’re magical people.

Jordan Gray is taking her new show, “Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me?”, to the Edinburgh Fringe this summer. (© Dylan Woodley)

Who has been your favourite person to work with in the past?

Oh, come on! Everybody’s a doll. I will say I feel very close to my co-star Thomas Gray in Transaction, even though we don’t see each other much outside of the show. I just love him, he kills me.

Who is someone you’ve learned a lot from?

Paloma Faith. She was my mentor on The Voice in 2016 and she taught me to stop worrying about what people thought of me and just sing. 

What’s your dream project?

Head writer of SNL UK. I want to be British transgender Tina Fey.

What’s something you haven’t done yet, but would love to do in the future?

Have sex with a furry.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

I do most of my writing at home, but it doesn’t leave much room to chill. Sometimes I play Minecraft, that makes me happy. 

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I live in a towny part of the seaside. My mum lives in super rural Devon. I like a bit of both; I like the contrast.

What’s your interior design style?

Our house is mostly ‘stylish storage’ for all my gear, projects, materials etc. But I dream of an office that’s nautical gothic. A little bit Twenty Thousand Leagues, a little bit Lovecraftian chic (pewter tentacles, porthole windows, a barnacle encrusted typewriter). White walls and very minimalist except for the accent pieces that tell the story of a mad drowned writer. I’m into it more and more as I’m saying it.

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?

I don’t. Not very well. I live to work. But I am also in an open marriage which means there’s a network of people who deserve my attention, too – so I try. I’m not entirely sure how I got so lucky in life.

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

Stop buying your happiness underneath other people’s mild discomfort.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Drink water and eat more leafy greens and an apple a day. You are lacking iron, I promise you.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

A little while ago I had a deal to write a book, but my writing partner disappeared on me. I’m excited to be working on a new book at some point. But to be honest, more than anything, I want everyone to love Transaction so I can pour my heart into a season 2.

Jordan Gray Recommends…

I’m currently watching… 30 Rock (again)

What I’m reading… All Fours by Miranda July

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Love, Death & Robots 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Avengers: Doomsday

Favourite film of all time… The Nightmare Before Christmas

Favourite song of all time… ‘Hallelujah’, Jeff Buckley’s cover

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Lord Huron

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Go see more clowns doing standup: Elf Lyons’ Horses; Natalie Palamides’ Weer; Zach Zucker’s Jack Tucker. 

Cultural guilty pleasure… Anything Marvel or DC want to shove down my throat.

WATCH

Jordan Gray stars in Transaction on ITVX.

WATCH IT

Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me? runs 30 July to 24 August at the Edinburgh Fringe. Tickets from £10pp.

BOOK IT