“My enthusiasm for L.A. stems from my father, who was a lecturer in American literature at the University of Birmingham. Through his work, our family did several house swaps with L.A. families. It was a dreadfully daring thing to do in the early 1980s; there was no Internet, so you had no idea of what you were getting into.”

English comedian, actor, and author

Ben Miller is an English comedian, actor, and author, best known for his work as part of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller with Alexander Armstrong. Born Bennet Evan Miller, he has built a career across television and film from the late 1990s onward. He is credited in Armstrong and Miller, The Parole Officer, Johnny English, The Prince and Me, The Worst Week of My Life, Saxondale, Primeval, Death in Paradise, and later projects including Bridgerton, Professor T., and Austin. His screen work ranges from comedy to drama, and he is closely associated with British television comedy.