The Independent is celebrating the greatest TV moments of the year so far, from the ones that got the nation talking to the scenes that moved us or made us laugh. In a series of articles running this summer, insiders share the part they played in making them happen.

As sleeper hits go, it doesn’t get much bigger than Widow’s Bay. After debuting on Apple TV back in April, the comedy-horror series, led by Matthew Rhys, quietly (and then very loudly) went from insider favourite to mainstream marvel, as fans praised this kooky show about the mayor of an eerie New England town, which is “the next Martha’s vineyard and definitely not cursed”.

Nineteen Emmy nominations later, and Widow’s Bay is an early contender for TV show of the year, with British actor Kate O’Flynn emerging as its breakout star. As Patricia, the mayor’s eccentric assistant and the town’s local pariah, O’Flynn is supremely off-kilter – channeling a true blue weirdo that nods to Shelley DuVall (they have the same eyes) while also bringing something to the table that’s entirely her own. The result is a character whose searching, awkward vulnerability millions have identified with. Not to mention, a comedic performance for the ages.

It’s that balance of levity and seriousness, comedy and horror that anchors the show’s inimitable tone – and it’s a tightrope act nowhere more gracefully walked than in episode four, “Beach Reads”, as Patricia takes one last stab at reinventing herself with a big bash she hosts using advice from a self-help book found in the library. Bar a few early hiccupps, the party turns out to be a roaring success. It’s a dream come true for Patricia – or is it? Spooky scenes reveal the dream is, in fact, a nightmare, and the book she’s been using to plan her party has actually been guiding her through the steps of a demonic ritual. “Why didn’t you say anything?” Patricia screams after being awoken from the curse to find the tiara on her head is not a tiara after all, but a sawn off pair of bloody antlers. Not exactly the reinvention she was hoping for.

Below Kate O’Flynn talks through filming one of the funniest and most chilling scenes of TV this year.

From the ashes, Patricia rises!

“In spite of the fact that she’s almost killed everybody and it’s a complete disaster, there are moments of that night that Patricia will remember forever as one of the best nights she’s ever had. Before the party, she’s just stuck in this loop of needing people to like her, and this party is her trying to prove herself and shake off the [negative] narrative around her – and of course it goes horribly wrong, but I think at the end of it, that’s the start of her breaking through that need. She’s done everything she can to change things and it hasn’t worked, and so from the ashes, the phoenix rises and we see the journey of Patricia!”

Her much-memed dance moves were inspired by Fosse jazz and music videos

“Oh, the dancing! We had a choreographer and a workshop where we looked at various random music videos because we thought that was something Patricia would do, she’d teach herself a couple of moves to have in her back pocket. And then on the day, I just freestyled – there are some Fosse references in there and some of my own moves. It was whatever felt right for Patricia at that moment. That’s what I call Unbridled Patricia. Patricia Unleashed!”

One of the most iconic moments almost didn’t happen

“The scene where it cuts to the mirror and you see that people aren’t really dancing but standing there with their mouths open wasn’t in the original script. And Dale [played by Jeff Hiller] wasn’t actually meant to be the DJ – and actually the character was meant to be killed off but Jeff was just so brilliant that that decision was very quickly reversed.”

The heartwarming reaction to Patricia’s character

“I didn’t quite realise how relatable people would find her and it’s really warming that they do, because it feels like everyone’s got their inner Patricia or they’re scared of their inner Patricias, but Patricia just can’t help but be who she is in public, so it’s great to see her championed in that way. It’s been an absolute dream come true how it’s gone down. It’s still very surreal actually, to be honest, but I’m thrilled.”