Breathtaking
Based onBreathtaking by Rachel Clarke (2021)
Screenplay by
Directed byCraig Viveiros
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producers
  • Rachel Clarke
  • Jed Mercurio
  • Prasanna Puwanarajah
ProducerBrian J. Falconer
CinematographyJohn Pardue
EditorsSam White
Josh Mallalieu
Chris White
Production companies
Original release
NetworkITVX

Breathtaking is an upcoming television series co-written by Rachel Clarke, Jed Mercurio, and Prasanna Puwanarajah based on Clarke's 2021 memoir. It concerns the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and stars Joanne Froggatt and was directed by Craig Viveiros.

Synopsis

The series is set in a city hospital, and combines news footage from the early months of 2020 with showing acute medical consultant Dr. Abbey Henderson (Froggatt), as she and fellow frontline medical staff trying to save the lives of coronavirus patients as the virus begins to overwhelm the NHS.[1][2]

Cast

Production

Rachel Clarke’s memoir of being on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic was released in 2021. Mecurio and Puwanarajah helped adapt the book for the screen, all three are qualified doctors. Puwanarajah previously worked with Clarke as a medical professional, and previously worked with Mercurio on television productions.[3] Craig Viveiros is director with HTM Television producing the three-part series along with Northern Ireland Screen. It is produced by Brian J. Falconer and executive produced by Mercurio, Clarke and Puwanarajah with ITV Studios an in-association producer and distributing internationally.[4]

Filming

Filming took place in Belfast and wrapped in the first half of 2023.[5][6] Viveiros has reportedly used long, real-time sequences as part of the filming process to allow the audience to become “immersed”.[7]

Broadcast

The series is expected to be broadcast in the UK on ITV in 2024.[8]

References

  1. ^ Hibbs, James (25 July 2023). "Joanne Froggatt leads COVID medical drama from Line of Duty creator". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  2. ^ Harding, Laura (25 July 2023). "Joanne Froggatt to play NHS doctor in pandemic drama from Line Of Duty writer". Evening Standard. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  3. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (5 November 2022). "'The Crown' Actor Prasanna Puwanarajah, 'Line of Duty' Creator Jed Mercurio Team on ITV Adaptation of Pandemic Bestseller 'Breathtaking' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  4. ^ Goldbart, Max (25 July 2023). "Jed Mercurio Pens ITV Medical Drama About Early Days Of Pandemic Starring Joanne Froggatt". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  5. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania (25 July 2023). "Liar's Joanne Froggatt to star in new Jed Mercurio drama". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Breathtaking". Northern Ireland Screen. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  7. ^ Farber, Alex (25 July 2023). "Line of Duty creator focuses on NHS staff in 'haunting' Covid drama". The Times. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  8. ^ Heritage, Stuart; Abbott, Kate (28 December 2023). "'Guaranteed to be a banger': the 50 must-see TV shows for 2024". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
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