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Breathtaking

For a definition of the term "breathtaking", see the Wiktionary entry breathtaking.
Breathtaking
GenreMedical drama
Based onBreathtaking by Rachel Clarke
Written 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
Release19 February (2024-02-19) –
21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)

Breathtaking is a British medical drama television series, written by Rachel Clarke, Jed Mercurio, and Prasanna Puwanarajah, based on Clarke's 2021 memoir of the same name on the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It 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 portrayal of acute medical consultant Dr Abbey Henderson (Froggatt) and fellow frontline medical staff trying to save the lives of coronavirus patients, as the virus begins to overwhelm the NHS.[1][2]

Cast

  • Joanne Froggatt as Dr Abbey Henderson
  • Bhav Joshi as Dr Ant Vyas
  • Donna Banya as Emma Mutamba Irungu
  • Joseph Charles as Archie Williams
  • Jodie McNee as Nurse Jules Jarman
  • Stephanie Street as Dr Joanne Alba
  • Thom Petty as Dr Neil Westland
  • Naomi Denny as Chantelle Gregory
  • Afro Parise as Dr Rossi
  • Philip Arditti as Dr Metin Ozkul
  • Tamer Doghem as Yussuf Ahmad
  • Lucy Montgomery as Clare Boxall
  • George Georgiu as Dr Huw Shelby
  • Georgia Goodman as Divina Aquino
  • Christopher Hatherall as Nick Henderson
  • Henry Meredith as Tommy Henderson
  • Eleanore-Beatriz Viveiros as Robyn Henderson
  • Mark Dexter as Dr Mike Prentiss
  • Tammy Heath as Alison Frampton
  • Mary Woodvine as Cressida Frost

Production

Rachel Clarke's memoir regarding 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 was broadcast in the UK on ITV from 19 February 2024.[8]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
1"Containment"Craig ViveirosRachel Clarke, Jed Mercurio and Prasanna Puwanarajah19 February 2024 (2024-02-19)5.04
2"Delay"Craig ViveirosRachel Clarke, Jed Mercurio and Prasanna Puwanarajah20 February 2024 (2024-02-20)4.57
3"Mitigation"Craig ViveirosRachel Clarke, Jed Mercurio and Prasanna Puwanarajah21 February 2024 (2024-02-21)4.29

Reception

Sean O'Grady of The Independent gave it four out of five stars.[9] Lucy Mangan of The Guardian awarded the first episode three out of five stars.[10]

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.
  9. ^ "Covid drama Breathtaking is deeply sad and often triggering – review". The Independent. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  10. ^ Mangan, Lucy (19 February 2024). "Breathtaking review – a shockingly vivid picture of life as a doctor during Covid". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
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