TV PREVIEW: Isolation Stories will be worth a watch, given the talent involved

By Paul Whitelaw

May 2 2020, 8:10am

Eddie Marsan in Isolation Stories (Copyright ITV). Sheridan Smith, Robert Glenister, Tom Glenister, Darren Boyd, Angela Griffin, David Threlfall, Eddie Marsan and his sons Blue and Bodie, will appear in new ITV commission, ISOLATION STORIES, a series of four short dramas depicting life in lockdown Produced by Oscar nominated writer and producer Jeff Pope, and his factual drama label at ITV Studios, each episode will be 15 minutes in duration and will reflect what families are going through after weeks of isolation. Assembled in conditions the production company has never faced before and written and directed by an award-winning team, the series will air during the UKÕs lockdown period and feature moments that are funny, sad, heartwarming and poignant. Commented Sheridan Smith: ÒI am heavily pregnant and have been isolating at home so I jumped at the chance to make a drama about the massive drama going on all around us right now. I think it's really important to try and reflect what's happening to us whilst it is still actually happening.Ó Karen Eddie Marsan, his sons Blu and Bodhi, and David Threlfall star in Karen written by Neil McKay and directed by David Blair (The Block). A grandad (David Threlfall) resolves to bring his broken family together by...being a grandad. Able to pass by his son-in-lawÕs house on the way to the grocery store, he stops off outside their window to lark about and make his grandkids smile. But his son-in-law (Eddie Marsan), still suffering after his wife Karen left him, doesnÕt welcome these daily visits. Jeff Pope (Philomena, Stan & Ollie, A Confession, Little Boy Blue) is executive producing the series along with Tom Dunbar (A Confession) and has also written one of the episodes. The series will be filmed observing the strict rules of lockdown with actors and their families filming the scenes themselves watched remotely by the directors. Each of the directors - Paul Whittington, Paul Andrew Williams, Louise Hooper and David Blair - will be watching footage via their mobile phones and giving advice to the actors and their family members about camera positioning, scene composition and lighting as they record the scenes. The dramas will be produced by Matthew Bird, Ken Horn, Menzies Kennedy and Tom Dunbar. Isolation Stories will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios. For more information: sarah.gaffney@itv.com For pictures: Patrick.smith@itv.com

This week, Paul looks forward to some specially-commissioned lockdown dramas…

NEXT WEEK’S TV

ISOLATION STORIES

Monday to Thursday, STV, 9pm

These short standalone dramas were still in post-production when I wrote this, but given the talent involved they’ll probably be worth watching. Produced by the estimable Jeff Pope (Philomena; Stan & Ollie), they’re vignettes featuring characters in lockdown. Mel (Sheridan Smith) is heavily pregnant and at home all alone; the father of her child has elected to stay elsewhere with his wife and children. Ron (Robert Glenister) is ill with the virus, which has put added strain on his relationship with one of his sons (played by Glenister’s son, Tom). Anxious Mike (Darren Boyd) insists on an online therapy session with Rochelle (Angela Griffin), and a grandad (David Threlfall) attempts to entertain his family (Eddie Marsan and his actual sons) from afar.

THE A WORD

Tuesday, BBC One, 9pm

Peter Bowker’s sensitive drama about a family coping with a child who has autism is marred by the continuing presence of an embarrassingly miscast Christopher Eccleston. A fine dramatic actor, Eccleston simply cannot handle the demands of playing light comedy. It’s beyond his stern capabilities. That’s a shame, as the rest of the cast, including the entirely natural Max Vento as nine-year-old Joe, is excellent. As series three begins, the family’s situation has become even more complicated. Alison (Morven Christie) and Paul (Lee Ingleby) are divorced, which means that Joe has to cope with living in two places at once. When he angrily discards his beloved headphones, usually a permanent fixture around his neck, you know he’s struggling.

I’LL GET THIS

Tuesday, BBC Two, 10pm

Here’s a bit of harmless fun to while away those hours in lockdown. Now in its second series, each episode involves five celebrities attending a swanky restaurant, placing their credit cards in a bowl in the centre of the table and proceeding to play a series of simple yet revealing games. If they win a game, they get to retrieve their card. If not, they have to pay for the meal at the end of the night (hardly much of a booby prize when you’re as solvent as they are, but hey-ho). The celebs in this week’s episode are the old smoothie’s old smoothie Nigel Havers, Made in Chelsea star and pro-fox hunting young Conservative Georgia Toffolo, Alex Brooker from The Last Leg, comedian Desiree Burch and former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay.

CAPTAIN TOM’S WAR

Friday, STV, 8pm

This is another programme that wasn’t available at the time of writing, but it should hopefully provide some insight into the life of Captain Tom Moore. As you know, the former British Army Officer, who served in World War Two, recently raised more than £28million for the NHS by walking 100 lengths of his garden in the run-up to his 100th birthday. The programme will feature Morgan reflecting on this achievement as well as his involvement in the brutal Burma campaign between the years 1941 and 1945. He will honour the soldiers who served alongside him in what has come to be known as The Forgotten War. The programme also features contributions from the good Captain’s daughters.

FILM of THE WEEK

NOWHERE BOY

Wednesday, Film4, 11:10pm

The tumultuous teenage years of John Lennon are the subject of this touching drama from Sam Taylor-Johnson (nee Taylor-Wood). It focuses on the complex relationship between Lennon (Aaron Johnson), his free-spirited mother Julia (Anne-Marie Duff) and his formidable yet caring Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas). It’s a rarity: a showbiz biopic that gets under the skin of its subjects with sensitivity and restraint.

LAST WEEK’S TV

VAN DER VALK

Sunday April 26, STV

Let’s get the most important thing out of the way first: the minimalist rearrangement of that once triumphant theme tune is simply unacceptable. It would be rejected by the John Lewis Christmas publicity department for being too weak and twee. Otherwise, this handsomely produced contemporary take on the adventures of Amsterdam’s most famous detective is serviceably generic cop show fare. The role will forever by associated with the late Barry Foster, but Marc Warren does a pretty good job of slipping into his caustic shoes.

STACEY DOOLEY: COSTA DEL NARCOS

Sunday April 26, BBC Two

Dooley’s latest investigation revealed how southern Spain has, in recent years, become the main turf-warring gateway for drugs into Europe. She met some heavily disguised dealers and smugglers, as well as some of the police officers tasked with seizing back control of the region. Dooley may not be the world’s greatest investigative journalist, but her reports are always clear-eyed and informative. This was no exception.

ABSOLUTELY INDIA: MANCS IN MUMBAI

Wednesday April 29, STV

The Thomas brothers, Ryan, Scott and Adam, are familiar to millions for their respective roles in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Love Island. But did you know they’re of Indian descent? Accompanied by their dad, the singer Dougie James of Soul Train minor fame, they explore their heritage in this lively travelogue which also doubles as a family therapy session. They’re amiable tour guides.