Big Suze

Big Suze is Jeremy's ex-girlfriend and a recurring romantic interest in Peep Show. Portrayed by Sophie Winkleman, she is perceptive and attractive but also naïve, with Mark famously describing her as a "mental posho."

Names	Big Suze, Suze
Gender	Female ♀
Race	Human
Occupation	Actress, Waitress
Origin	Peep Show Series 3 Episode 1: Mugging (11 November 2005)
Alignment	Good
Age	20s to 30s
Created By	Andrew O'Connor, Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain, David Mitchell, Robert Webb
Height	175cm (5ft 9in)
Weight	60kg (132.27 lbs)
Personality Type	ESFJ

Appearance

Big Suze has a striking, elegant appearance that complements her posh background and genteel demeanor. She is tall, slim, and poised, often dressed in tasteful and refined outfits that reflect her privileged upbringing. Her wardrobe typically leans toward classic styles, with an understated flair that highlights her effortless beauty. Suze’s polished look is occasionally juxtaposed with moments of a more Bohemian edge, hinting at her adventurous and artistic nature. Her overall presentation is charming and sophisticated, yet approachable.

Personality

Suze is warm and friendly, often exuding a sweet and caring demeanor. However, her naivety and sheltered upbringing sometimes make her appear out of touch with the realities of those around her. She is deeply idealistic, which can manifest as both endearing optimism and frustrating obliviousness. Despite her privileged background, Suze has an open-minded streak, demonstrated through her curiosity about unconventional ideas and experiences.

At times, she can be a bit uptight and squeamish, particularly regarding anything she deems improper or uncouth—such as bodily functions. However, her sense of decorum is balanced by moments of surprising spontaneity and adventurousness, especially in her romantic and sexual exploits. Over time, Suze grows into a more assertive and pragmatic individual, shedding some of her earlier innocence while retaining her charm and warmth.

Biography

Before her first appearance at Apollo House, Suze lived with Jeremy in a previous flat—a time Jeremy nostalgically refers to as their "love shack." They shared this flat for about a year and a half, though their relationship eventually ended. Suze is first mentioned in the show’s second episode but doesn’t make an appearance until series 3.

When Suze reconnects with Jeremy, she is initially dating a former monk named Stu. However, she rekindles her relationship with Jeremy for a time, though she later leaves him for Alan Johnson. By series 6, her relationship with Alan becomes rocky, leading to their eventual breakup in series 7. After their split, she hosts a separate New Year’s Eve party, during which Alan relapses into drinking. Despite her on-and-off dynamic with Jeremy and the many chances she gives him, their friendship remains tumultuous, and they do not ultimately end up together.

Big Suze comes from a privileged background and is distantly related to the Hawksmoor family, descendants of the 18th-century architect Nicholas Hawksmoor. She is posh and somewhat sheltered, displaying a genteel, Edwardian-like aversion to bodily functions. During her time living with Jeremy, she enforced a "toilet seat regime" (The Interview). Despite her uptight tendencies, she has a Bohemian streak and an adventurous sexual curiosity. Notably, Jeremy claims she bequeathed him her dildo when they stopped living together (Funeral).

Her relationship with Mark is peculiar, albeit less dramatic. They go on one casual date, which ends poorly when Mark insults her. Despite this, Suze shares a friendly hug with Mark at one point and even buys him a lap dance.

Suze works as an actress but takes waitress jobs at a café between acting roles. She has appeared in stage productions of both David Cronenberg's Crash and Paul Haggis' Crash.

Over the course of the series, Suze evolves from a sweet and innocent young woman into a more assertive and no-nonsense individual. By the end of the show, she is shown living independently and thriving. In her final appearance, she unofficially enlists Mark and Jeremy to cater her New Year’s Eve party, cementing her role as a figure who remains central to their chaotic lives.

Trivia

• Big Suze's nickname refers to her height rather than her weight. It is also a subtle nod to Sophie Winkleman's earlier role as the "grown-up Susan"—or Big Suze—in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, released the same year as her first appearance in Peep Show.
• Her introduction in Peep Show was originally written for Nancy, but Rachel Blanchard was unavailable, leading to Big Suze taking her place in series 3.
• According to Sophie Winkleman’s interview on Podcast Secrets of the Pharaohs, creators Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong hinted that Big Suze might have been "big" in the past, but this is never explored in the show. Her name also symbolizes how "big" Jeremy’s feelings for her were before the series began.
• Ironically, Sophie Winkleman, at 5'9" (175 cm), is almost as tall as David Mitchell (5'9½", 176 cm) and Robert Webb (5'10", 178 cm).
• Suze is first mentioned in the second episode of Peep Show but doesn’t physically appear until series 3.
• Her house number is 72.
• In the episode Sistering, Mark internally speculates that Suze might secretly have a noble title, imagining the pairing "Lady Big Suze" and "Lord Mark." Interestingly, Sophie Winkleman does hold a title in real life—Lady Frederick Windsor—through her marriage in 2009, though she continues to use her maiden name professionally.