U.K.’s Channel 4 Orders First Digital Original Drama, Sci-Fi Series ‘Beth’ Starring Nicholas Pinnock and Abbey Lee (EXCLUSIVE)

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British network Channel 4 has commissioned its first digital original drama.

The three-part science fiction thriller titled ‘Beth,’ helmed by Uzo Oleh (‘Edicius’), will feature Nicholas Pinnock (‘This Town,’ ‘The Book of Clarence’) and Abbey Lee (‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’). This series, executive produced by Anna Higgs, is produced by Dark Pictures and GroupM Motion Entertainment. It will air on Channel 4’s YouTube, as well as their streaming and linear channels.

As I sat down to watch “Beth,” I found myself immersed in the story of Joe and Molly, portrayed brilliantly by Pinnock and Lee. This couple, living the high life with their thriving careers, seemed to have it all—except for one thing: a child. After years of dashed hopes, Molly’s pregnancy felt like an answered prayer, a miracle that added a new dimension to their already rich love story.

Some time passes, and when their daughter Imogen arrives, she’s as white as snow, showing no resemblance to her father, Joe. This unexpected difference sends Joe and Molly’s life into chaos. As Joe starts to unearth an astounding truth that could shake them to the very core, he grapples with whether to keep this revelation hidden for the sake of his family. Can Joe maintain his silence to safeguard those he loves?

Embarking on this journey of breathing life into Beth has been nothing short of extraordinary,” I expressed, “A ride made possible by the unwavering support of my producers and commissioners who tirelessly advocated for our shared vision at every juncture.” Collaborating with Nicholas and Abbey has been an immense privilege. Their profound talent and ability to infuse their characters with depth and subtlety surpasses anything I could have envisioned, elevating the story to heights beyond my initial imagination.

Pinnock mentioned that “Beth was so fascinating, I couldn’t resist her,” further explaining that taking on the role of Joe allowed him an opportunity to delve into the frequently unexpressed struggles of parenthood and self-identity.

For Lee, Oleh’s “remarkable depiction of love, miracles, and sorrow immediately captured my attention.

The drama titled ‘Beth,’ which is 3 parts, 15 minutes each, will air on Channel 4’s YouTube, Channel 4 Streaming, and also have a one-hour linear broadcast. It was commissioned by Thomas Pullen, digital commissioning executive for Channel 4, alongside Laura Marks, another digital commissioning editor, and Sacha Khari, head of digital commissioning. The series was developed by Danyele Seignoret, the development executive at Channel 4 Drama. Executive producers for this project include Yaw Basoah from Dark Pictures, as well as Oleh and Deep Sehgal, who are associated with GroupM Motion Entertainment, along with Higgs.

Working alongside Uzo, Yaw, Thomas, and the entire team on Channel 4’s inaugural digital drama is a significant return for me,” shared Higgs. Having spent some fifteen years with Film4, tasked with innovation, it’s rewarding to witness Channel 4 still leading the way by backing daring new storytellers and I am incredibly proud to contribute to this groundbreaking effort.

Initially, upon reading ‘Beth,’ I felt a shiver of excitement at the possibility of bringing this extraordinary tale featuring the captivating duo of Joe and Molly to life. This endeavor represents a significant breakthrough for us, demonstrating that brief, episodic dramas can draw in remarkable talent, not only on set but also behind it.

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2025-03-21 13:16