TVDRAMA
Channel 4 has commissioned its first digital original drama, Beth, to release on its YouTube channel and across its streaming and linear platforms.
The sci-fi series stars Nicholas Pinnock (This Town, The Book of Clarence, For Life) and Abbey Lee (Horizon: An American Saga, Mad Max: Fury Road) as married couple Joe and Molly, who have it all—they’re deeply in love and successful in their careers. When Molly finally falls pregnant after years of false hope, it feels like a miracle, until months later when their daughter is born and she is as Caucasian as can be, with no resemblance to her father.
As Joe and Molly’s life is thrown into turmoil, Joe begins to unravel a shocking truth that rocks him, Molly and the world to the core.
Beth is written and directed by Uzo Oleh (Edicius), executive produced by Anna Higgs and produced by Dark Pictures and GroupM Motion Entertainment. It will be available as a 3×15-minute drama on YouTube and Channel 4 Streaming and will have a 1×45-minute linear broadcast.
“Bringing Beth to life has been an extraordinary journey, made possible by the support of my producers and commissioners, who championed the vision at every turn,” Oleh said. “Collaborating with Nicholas and Abbey has been an honor; the depth and nuance they bring to their performances elevates the story beyond what I could have imagined. Every department, from design to cinematography, is filled with world-class artists who poured their hearts into crafting something both intimate and universal, all while pretending not to notice when I cried during takes. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created together. Beth is a testament to what’s possible when passionate, talented individuals unite to reimagine one of the oldest stories ever told.”
“Beth was such an intriguing concept [that] it was impossible to turn down,” Pinnock said. “Taking on the role of Joe has been a chance to explore the often-unspoken challenges of parenthood and identity, and I’m immensely proud to be a part of this fascinating project. It has been an honor to work with the incredibly talent Uzo Oleh and the team at Dark Pictures to bring his gripping story to life.”
Lee commented, “Uzo Oleh’s stunning portrayal of love, miracles and heartache had me hooked instantly. He has written the character of Molly with such grace and humor, and I knew instantly that I wanted to work with him. His ability to take highly conceptual ideas and base them in the truth of what it is to be human is what astounds me the most. Being on set has been fun, relaxed, inspiring and collaborative.”
“From the first moment I read Beth, I had goosebumps at the prospect of commissioning this incredible story built on two amazing characters in Joe and Molly,” noted Thomas Pullen, digital commissioning executive for Channel 4. “This project is truly groundbreaking for us—showing that short, episodic drama can attract incredible talent both in front of and behind the camera. It’s been a privilege to work with Uzo Oleh and Dark Pictures to bring this shocking love story to life, which asks difficult questions at the same time as reflecting society right back to us—everything a great science-fiction story should do.”
“It’s been a pleasure to produce Uzo Oleh’s television debut, Beth, and partner with Anna Higgs, Channel 4 and GroupM Motion Entertainment to bring his incredible, multilayered vision to life,” said Yaw Basoah, Dark Pictures’ executive producer. “We’re immensely proud to have collaborated with our fantastic cast, expertly led by Nicholas and Abbey, and a host of creative talent that have strengthened Beth at every stage.”
Executive producer Higgs commented, “To work with Uzo, Yaw, Thomas and the whole team on Channel 4’s first original digital drama feels like a full circle moment for me. Having worked at Film4 some 15 years ago with an innovation remit, I’m glad to see Channel 4 continuing to blaze a trail and support bold emerging storytellers to make work in new ways, and I’m so proud to be a part of making this happen.”
Deep Sehgal, head of creative diversity and executive producer for GroupM Motion Entertainment, added, “Beth is an intriguing and hugely compelling proposition–a tiny but perfectly formed thriller with a superb cast, made by a visionary writer and director. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to bring this unique project to the screen through the Diverse Indies Fund.”
