ITV STUDIO COMMISSIONS SERIES "ISOLATION STORIES"

ITV Studios commissioned a series of four short dramas, “Isolation Stories,” created by Oscar-nominated writer and producer, Jeff Pope, inspired by true stories that reflect life during lockdown and social-distancing across the country. ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, commissioned the series which will air in the next few weeks. “It’s amazing that Jeff has managed to make these short films so quickly, to reflect the times we are living in,” Hill said. “These are moving and funny tales of isolation with an incredibly talented team on and off-screen. They are stories told from isolation to an audience in isolation. It’s not often drama that can be made this quickly so huge thanks to everyone involved in making this happen and I hope they bring some joy to the audience, in what we know are difficult times.”

“Isolation Stories”  will be filmed observing the strict rules of social distancing restrictions, with actors and their families filming the scenes themselves, and all of it being watched remotely by the directors. Casting information and details on each episode will be announced shortly. “Exceptional circumstances require us to think in a brand new way about creating drama," Executive Producer, Tom Dunbar said. "Our priorities are the safety of all involved in the production and finding a way to work within all the restrictions to create something relevant and resonant."

The series, which will be produced by Pope's Factual Drama label, part of ITV Studios and distributed internationally by ITV Studio, will consist of four 15-minute episodes. Each episode, written by award-winning screenwriters and assembled in conditions that the production team has never been through before, will reflect what families are experiencing after weeks of lockdown, self-isolation, and social distancing, featuring moments that are funny, sad, heartwarming and poignant. “Like everybody else, I have been isolating at home, and in my case watching my wife suffering badly with the virus, " Pope said. "I wanted to do something to catch the mood. I knew it would be very difficult to try and shoot dramas in these circumstances, but I felt the public would understand if things were a little rough and ready, if we at least had a go.” 

Jeff Pope, who worked on “Philomena,” “Stan & Ollie,” “A Confession,” and “Little Boy Blue” is executive producing the series along with Tom Dunbar, who worked for “A Confession” and wrote one of the episodes. Gaby Chiappe (The Level), Neil McKay (The Moorside, Appropriate Adult) and William Ivory (Torvill & Dean, Burton, and Taylor) have each written one episode. Paul Whittington (White House Farm, Little Boy Blue) and Paul Andrew Williams (A Confession, Broadchurch) will each direct an episode. Jeff Pope, who worked on “Philomena,” “Stan & Ollie,” “A Confession,” and “Little Boy Blue” is executive producing the series along with Tom Dunbar, who worked for “A Confession” and wrote one of the episodes. Gaby Chiappe (The Level), Neil McKay (The Moorside, Appropriate Adult) and William Ivory (Torvill & Dean, Burton, and Taylor) have each written one episode. Paul Whittington (White House Farm, Little Boy Blue) and Paul Andrew Williams (A Confession, Broadchurch) will each direct an episode.