London filmmaker turns TikTok sensation having cups of tea with strangers

A London documentary filmmaker who records himself having cups of tea with strangers on park benches has become an internet sensation.

Will Shears, 28, from Kentish Town in London, has made his name by approaching strangers in London parks and asking if they would like a cup of tea.

Since releasing his first video on 31 January this year, Mr Shears’ A Mug Of Life social media accounts have racked up millions of views – despite posting just a handful of videos so far.

After stopping strangers for a cuppa, the conversations that follow “lead to the most amazing stories”, Mr Shears told the PA news agency.

He said: “There are lots of people talking to strangers on TikTok, but no one is learning their stories.

“In a three-minute video, you can really delve into people’s lives.”

Mr Shears’ interviewees have so far included an American man called Brian in Finsbury Park who revealed he was friends with Robin Williams, as well as an elderly British man called Peter, who recalled “his most memorable cup of tea”.

Another interviewee “spoke about losing contact with his dad” while someone else talks about the sudden death of her husband and how much she loves to travel.

Mr Shears has been “overwhelmed” by the number of heartfelt messages and comments he has received which include people saying “it made them cry”.

The TikTok sensation studied politics at the University of East Anglia but pursued documentary filmmaking after graduating.

However, he struggled to receive commissions for feature films, saying “there’s such an emphasis on celebrity stories in filmmaking at the moment, and if it’s not a celebrity story, they’re not interested.”

“I think the success of the Mug Of Life project has shined a light on the fact that many people do care about these stories though,” he said.

“People see so much negativity online but here’s a chance for them to see something that is encouraging. Hopefully, it will encourage them to go out and have a chat with a stranger.

“I think there’s this idea in Britain that if you talk to strangers you’re weird, and maybe this project is tapping away at that.”

Mr Shears has remained in contact with all his interviewees and “always sends the video before it’s released”, to ensure they are happy.

He aims to take the project around the UK, creating “a tapestry of Britain”.

“I want it to be every community and every background. I want it to be really representative,” he said.

“Everyone has a story, and it’s about finding a way to tell those stories in the right way.

“There will always be an appetite for that because we love hearing people’s amazing stories.”