Breathtaking premieres on ITV in February and we have all the essential details – from the start date and cast, to the true story it’s based on.
Based on the accounts of hospital doctor Rachel Clarke, the series shines a light on what really happened as Covid-19 swept the vastly unprepared UK.
The drama pays tribute to sacrifices made by NHS staff during the pandemic, revealing the reality of hospital life in the face of momentous challenges.
Read on for everything you need to know about the new series Breathtaking, from the creators of Trigger Point, Bloodlands and BAFTA-nominated factual drama Stephen.
Breathtaking on ITV: What is it about?
Breathtaking is a haunting insider account of life inside the NHS during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Based on the real-life account of doctor-writer Rachel Clarke, Breathtaking stars Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey, Sherwood). She’ll play Dr. Abbey Henderson, a frontline hospital consultant in the midst of the greatest public health crisis in living memory.
Using real news footage from 2020, the drama follows Abbey’s daily work as the NHS attempts to cope with the chaos of an incredibly infectious disease they know little about. As an avalanche of new Covid-19 cases hit, the NHS struggles with lack of know-how, funding and PPE. The hard-hitting drama also explores the stories of other doctors, nurses, patients and paramedics.
Described by ITV as a “searing, thought-provoking and poignant” account of an NHS doctor, it also promises an ultimately uplifting human story.
Is Breathtaking based on a true story?
Yes, Breathtaking is based on the memoir of the same name by Rachel Clarke. Rachel is a British palliative care doctor and writer famous for her accounts of life inside the NHS.
At the time of writing, she has written three books about being a doctor. Her first book about being a junior doctor ‘Your Life In My Hands’ was published in 2017. Her second book ‘Dear Life’ (2020) explored her field in end-of-life care. And her third book, ‘Breathtaking’ (2021) gave an unflinching account of frontline care during the brutal first wave of Covid-19.
Though Rachel herself does not appear in the drama, the character of Joanne Froggatt’s Abbey is based on her memoirs. Rachel is, however, the main writer for the series.
Breathtaking on ITV: Who is in the cast?
Golden Globe-winning actress Joanne Froggatt leads the cast of Breathtaking on ITV as Dr. Abbey Henderson. Dr. Abbey is an Acute Medicine Consultant on the frontline as the first wave of Covid-19 hits the UK.
Joanne is best known for playing Anna Bates on Downton Abbey, for which she received multiple awards. Anna was maid to Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery), and love interest of valet Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle). Her storylines revolved around her relationship with Mr Bates and her rape by a visiting valet.
Joanne has since appeared in Liar, Angela Black and Sherwood. In 2023 she also starred in Australian crime thriller North Shore.
Speaking about Breathtaking, Joanne said: “When I first read the incredible scripts they moved me to tears on many occasions. I felt so passionately that I had to be a part of telling this story, the real story, of what was really happening behind the closed doors of the hospitals during the pandemic.”
“Our NHS staff are nothing less than absolute heroes in my eyes, and I hope telling this story goes a little way towards us understanding their truth, their lived experience and honouring their unbelievable commitment and sacrifice on behalf of us all.”
Other cast listed on IMDB include George Georgiou (Carnival Row), Lucy Montgomery (The Kemps: All Gold), Georgia Goodman (Loki), Jodie McNee (Hollington Drive), Mark Dexter (Industry, The Crown), Philip Arditti (No Return) and Christopher Hatherall (The Long Shadow, Showtrial).
Angela Black director Craig Viveiros directs Breathtaking
Craig Viveiros (Angela Black, The Watch, The War of the Worlds) directs the new drama.
Speaking about the script, Craig said: “After reading the first few pages of the script, I knew this was a project I wanted to be involved with. Its unique, bold and unflinching take on life on the front line during the pandemic was immediately captivating.”
Breathtaking start date: Jed Mercurio exec-produces the series
Award-winning TV writer Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty) is an executive producer for Breathtaking.
He has plenty of experience of the subject matter, too. Jed worked as a hospital doctor in Birmingham before starting his writing career. He then wrote 1994 medical series Cardiac Arrest. He also wrote award-winning 2004 medical drama Bodies.
Speaking about filming Breathtaking, he said: “Everyone at HTM Television has felt privileged to dramatise Rachel Clarke’s hauntingly illuminating memoir of health workers struggling to cope with the extraordinary challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Fellow former-doctor Prasanna Puwanarajah (The Crown) will also produce the series.
Breathtaking on ITV: How many episodes are there?
Breathtaking is a three-part series. According to director Craig Viveiros, much of the miniseries was shot in long real-time sequences which “should make for captivating viewing”.
“[It should] allow the audience to be immersed in the struggles our real-life heroes faced in the wards and emergency departments across the country, day after day, during the pandemic.”
Each episode will be an hour long.
What is the start date for Breathtaking?
Breathtaking will air on three consecutive nights from Monday, February 19, 2024 to Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 9pm.
The series will air on ITV and ITVX.
Breathtaking start date: Where was it filmed?
Breathtaking was filmed in Belfast from April to May 2023.
It is produced in association with Northern Ireland Screen.
Is there a trailer for Breathtaking?
Yes! ITV launched a minute-long trailer for the upcoming series on February 7, 2024 (see below).
The trailer uses real footage, including audio from then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to capture the chaos of Covid-19. Lack of PPE, frustration with government inaction and clap for carers all make an appearance.
Teased on screen as ‘the story you haven’t been told’, the dramatic trailer sees Joanne Froggatt in action as Dr. Abbey Henderson as she’s told the first Covid patients are incoming. In voiceover, Abbey calls family to let them know she won’t be returning home due to the “madness”.
Tensions rise as doctors realise they do not have sufficient PPE for the “insane” conditions. Covid patient numbers rise continuously. While Matt Hancock assures the British public that the government has a plan for the pandemic, terrified medics know otherwise. They worry that they will be next.
Nonetheless, the trailer ends on a message of resilience. Nobody is giving up. In voiceover, Dr. Abbey says: “Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.”
At the same time ITV debuted a 90-second first look at the show. This shows Joanne Froggatt in action as Dr. Abbey Henderson. The high-tempo sneak peek sees Abbey securing her face mask while taking deep breaths.
Immediately, she is thrust into the worst of situations: an emergency patient is rushed in requiring immediate medical assistance. They cannot breathe and require intubation. Equipment begins to beep continuously as the patient goes into cardiac arrest.
It’s a scene from our worst nightmares.
Breathtaking start date: Other Covid-19 dramas and where to watch them
Breathtaking is not the first, nor will it be the last Covid-19 drama.
In 2021, Channel 4 film Help explored life inside a care home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Starring Jodie Comer as a carer and Stephen Graham as a care home resident, Help explored how their lives were turned upside down in 2020. The film can be streamed on All 4.
That same year, BBC Two lockdown drama Together explored a dying relationship in the throes of Covid-19’s lockdown.
Then of course, there was 2022 Sky drama This England, which starred Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson. This England followed Johnson and his government as they struggled to deal with the onslaught of Covid-19. It is available to stream on NOW TV.
Read more: ITV announces new Covid drama with Liar star Joanne Froggatt who was ‘moved to tears’ by script
Breathtaking will air on three consecutive nights from Monday, February 19, 2024 to Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 9pm.
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