While TV shows still struggling to have more than one or two cast members of colour in an entire series and some television programmes are yet to grasp that stereotypes of black men and women are not just overdone, but most times factually incorrect, YouTube has been a saviour of entertainment. Thanks to web series such as Brothers With No Game, A Day In The Life of Daddy and Life Of Hers, the black British audience, creatives and actors have finally found a home, albeit on the internet.

However, there has been one type of show missing on YouTube – a black British comedy led by an all female cast. That was until new web series HouseMates came along. Written and directed by Monique Needman, Housemates is a web-based sitcom following the lives of five twenty-something black women living together being shown on BWNG TV.

So when an interview opportunity arose, Black Ballad, the cast and Monique thought the interview would be far more interesting if the actresses played their characters in an interview, rather than answering the questions as themselves.

On Monday night in a Starbucks, I witnessed five very talented actresses turn into their characters. When I turned on the recorder;

- Ani Nelson who walked into the coffee house as a mature and sweet young lady took off her glasses and turned into the slightly spoilt and immature Mya.

- Princess McDonnough slowly morphed into tech geek Chenayi by borrowing Ani's glasses.

- Elvina Muschett, who was soft-spoken and composed, turned into Jade - the group's loudest and most honest member.

- The warm and fun-loving Tramaine Reindorf became the stand-offish Zara.

- And Amelia Parillon reigned in her bubbly personality to become Michelle, the group's most serious member.

All of this happened under the watchful gaze of their creator Monique who sat sipping her hot chocolate marvelling at her characters coming to life. So as their characters, the ladies discussed the joys and downsides of living together, the Spice Girls, not wanting a mortgage and executive white men.

Black Ballad: How did you all meet?

Michelle: We all met at university. We were studying different courses, but we met through the ACS. We realised we had a lot in common. We fought like cat and dog, but we also realised we had each other’s backs. It was really nice to have a unity of sisters - a home away from home. So we just stuck together throughout the three years and afterwards continued to be friends, so we got a place together. We all have very different personalities, but we fit together very well as a unit.

BB: What's the worst part about living with four other women?

Mya: People not washing up after themselves! There are some people in our house (side-eye to Zara) that don't like to wash their plates. It's one of my pet hates. I don't like touching plates that have not been washed up.

Chenayi: Another problem - cough, cough, Mya - is people who don't put things back where they are supposed to be.

Mya: Ok, she's trying to say I’ve done that a couple of times. However, its only been a couple of times and whenever the girls have told me - I’ve apologised and said it's my fault and it won't happen again. I make up for the mistakes I make.

Jade: I would also like to address people who steal your make-up, clothing and shoes. The worst thing is when they return items and they are stretched out - to the point here you cant wear them anymore. Just keep it! Or having your lipstick or mascara stolen - that's the biggest mistake you can make when living with other women.

 Zara: I'm not saying anything.

Michelle: The worst thing about living with the girls is you cook for the entire week, but a few days later the food is gone. Stomachs are full, plates are in the sink but nobody ate - that don't make no sense! So me, muggings has to come back and cook again for the next few days.

Mya: You are an amazing cook.

Michelle: That's besides the point. When a person buys the food and cooks the food, they expect the food to be there.