Extraordinary People Returns to Channel 5

LONDON: The documentary series Extraordinary People is returning to Channel 5 for a new run.

The latest season of Extraordinary People will feature new stories, including The Boy Who Sees Upside Down, The Boy with No Brain and Erick: The Boy with No Face. Channel 5’s Guy Davies, the commissioning editor for factual, said: “It’s great to see the Extraordinary People brand back in the schedule. This strand has always delivered stories with real heart, intrigue and strong emotional narratives. This new run of films delivers on all these, sensitively letting us into the lives of three brave young people both home and abroad, whose stories are an inspiration.”

The Boy Who Sees Upside Down follows a 12-year-old Indian boy named Mahendra Ahirwar who has a rare congenital condition that makes his neck muscles so weak that he is unable to lift his head. Mahendra sees the world upside down, and his parents cannot afford the medical care he needs. Yet, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign launched by Julie Jones in Liverpool, who heard about Mahendra’s plight in the news, doctors planned groundbreaking surgery that could change his life. The documentary follows the operation and Julie’s journey to meet Mahendra. The Boy Who Sees Upside Down is produced by Dragonfly and executive produced by Edwina Silver, who commented, “This is an Extraordinary People documentary with a difference—a powerful testament to how one person’s life can be completely transformed by the compassionate intervention of a stranger on the other side of the world.”

The Boy with No Brain, meanwhile, follows Noah Wall, who was born with less than 2 percent of a brain. He has defied the odds by surviving, and by age three, his brain grew to 80 percent. Noah’s parents hope he will be evaluated by top doctors to determine what his future may hold. Alison Gregory serves as executive producer on the film, which is produced by markthree media.

Holly Cocker, co-director of markthree media, commented: “At markthree, we thrive in seeking out extraordinary people and giving their stories a platform. Noah’s story is amazing and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to tell it. He was a joy to film—so full of beans and fun to be around with a brilliant sense of humor.”

Produced by Transparent Television, Erick: The Boy with No Face tells the story of 17-year-old Erick John Rwabirire of Uganda, who requires 24-hour emergency surgery to remove a tumor that has grown to be the same size and weight of his head. The documentary film follows Erick as he travels to London to undergo the high-risk operation.

Jazz Gowans, the managing director of Transparent Television, said “Erick is indeed an extraordinary person—his remarkable spirit and infectious love of life means that all who meet him not only fall in love with this young man but are also determined to make his life better whatever it takes.” Gowans executive produced the project alongside Mark Powell.