New Channel 4 drama was ‘deeply upsetting’ to make as viewers issued trigger warning over ‘disturbing’ series
The creator of the latest episode in a drama series has opened up about how making it was 'deeply upsetting'.
Anthony series I am... follows a different standalone story in each episode, and the latest one I am Helen follows the breakdown of a relationship, with addiction to pornography and toxic masculinity forming a central part of how the relationship unravels and becomes increasingly toxic and alarming.
It stars Nicola Coughlan, of Bridgerton, and Joe Cole, of Peaky Blinders, as the couple Helen and Steve, who have been together for around five years at the start of the two episode story, which is being released on Channel 4.
Speaking to the Radio Times, the show's creator Dominic Savage opened up about some of the more uncomfortable and distressing parts of making the show.
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"I found making it deeply upsetting," said Savage. "It was probably the toughest one I’ve done. Some of the stuff that we were doing, I didn’t enjoy. I questioned myself at times. But it is important to show this."
He added: "I remember thinking about Nicola and seeing this very tender, loving, fragile, but strong person.
"For this person to be treated in this way was miserable to watch. Nicola has a lot of fans who love her, and I imagine that they’ll feel so much for her and be so upset. But that’s the purpose."
Explaining the creative process behind the show, Savage said that he wanted to get people talking about the issues that the story explores.
"We make this stuff to get people thinking and talking and feeling and expressing and reacting to the work," said Savage. "You’ve got to be as real and as truthful as possible."
Coughlan has also opened up about making the show, which explores the breakdown of a relationship when Steve, played by Cole, starts to consume more manosphere content online, and becomes more addicted to pornography.
Coughlan, 39, spoke to Graham Norton about the show, saying that at time she found production very difficult.
“It is such an unusual project as it is completely improvised and quite a tough subject matter," she said.
"I felt sick every day with nerves and thought, ‘When can I quit? I want to go home.’
“You really don’t know what the show is until you see it, and it is strange to watch it back."
The show involved one scene which features choking sex, which the Bridgerton star revealed that she had a 'safe word' for during filming, and which has come after the UK government banned pornography which features choking.
Both actors also worked with an intimacy co-ordinator to help the performers feel as comfortable as possible while filming the uncomfortable scenes.
Speaking to Deadline about the show, Cole, 37, said: "Many women choose not to be in relationships because there can be so many problems. That was the territory we wanted to explore."
He added: “Even though it looks raw, we planned it so everyone feels safe. Those boundaries also mean you can push the emotion further."
The drama is scheduled to air on Channel 4 on 16 and 17 November, and the trailer includes a warning which says that it includes 'scenes of violence and aggression that some viewers may find distressing'.
Topics: News, Entertainment, TV
Kit Roberts
