“Unprecedented” responds to the radical way we’ve seen our world change during the Coronavirus pandemic. UK’s most celebrated actors star in this anthology series as regular people trying to cope with life under lockdown.
It comprises of 14 short plays, first broadcasted in five episodes from 26 May to 29 May 2020. Each play was performed and recorded remotely, during the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and concerned different aspects of life under lockdown.
Episode 1
Viral by James Graham
After schools shut and A Levels are postponed, three teenagers use lockdown to come up with the next big viral craze.
Penny by Charlene James
Ray has been moved into a hotel for the foreseeable future yet he knows that survival is a lot more complicated than having a roof over your head.
Going Forward by John Donnelly
When team meetings move online, an under-pressure team leader takes drastic measures to make sure targets are met.
Episode 2
Romantic Distancing by Tim Price
Love in the time of coronavirus: can technology bridge the emotional gap as well as the geographical?
Safer at Home by Anna Maloney
As families and couples are forced into isolation, Mike takes pride in looking after his pregnant partner Ellie. Mike’s mother Betsy is delighted – she is extremely fond of Ellie – but she starts to see things about their relationship that unsettle her.
House Party by April De Angelis
A street in south London get together on Houseparty for a virtual drinking session in the first week of isolation, but not everyone is in the mood for a party.
Episode 3
Grounded by Duncan Macmillan
Liz is stressed by her parents’ cavalier attitude to the virus. Their age and health conditions put them heavily at risk. However, when overcome by the stress of her work, Liz is the one who needs looking after.
Fear Fatigue by Prasanna Puwanarajah
Based on conversations with NHS workers in March 2020, Fear Fatigue documents the feelings and fears of frontline staff in the days and weeks before the Coronavirus lockdown.
Episode 4
Kat and Zaccy by Deborah Bruce
Zac is reluctant to come home from university during lockdown. How long can he ignore his mother’s emotional pleas for his return?
The Unexpected Expert by Matilda Ibini
This crisis will have a huge impact on Roxy’s social care package. The local authority thanks her for her understanding, yet she feels significantly misunderstood.
The Night After by Josh Azouz
A couple in their sixties try to make contact with the outside world. Is it a distress signal? Or a message to a specific loved one? Greek Gods, a noose and the past all threaten to overwhelm them. A touching tale of toast, taboos and toddlers.
Episode 5
Central Hill by Nathaniel Martello-White
Coronavirus flings a couple into a long-distance relationship. A freelance actor cannot afford to eat. Ginger and toilet paper have become the most sought-after items on the planet. A likely farce, or a horror movie waiting to happen?
Batshit by Jasmine Lee-Jones
It’s 2021. The global pandemic continues to sweep the earth. In the midst of massive loss, grief and mourning, many have searched for a party to blame – with some civilians taking justice into their own hands. As ceaseless chaos sweeps the earth, shit is well and truly about to hit the fan…
Everybody’s Talkin’ by Chloe Moss
Liz, Rebecca and Katherine are full of ideas for their mother: Facebook Pilates, Zoom Art Classes, FaceTime therapy… anything to help her feel connected.
BBC Four
5 x 30mins
ComposerNainita DesaiPhotography Consultant Michael TimneyAdditional CameraConor Maloney Hill, Ben YatesStills PhotographyJJ WallerOnline EditorAndrés del Caño Assistant EditorsEmma Corbett, Tom Stow, Ed StutelyColourist Claire Winter Post Production SupervisorVicky BoyensPost ProductionRoundtable Post Production AssistantNicola MossAssistant ProducerTilly TaylorAssociate DirectorEva Sampson Technical ConsultantJosé Caldeira Head of Production Sue Collins Producer Katie BailiffExecutive Producer for the BBCMark BellEditorsMags Arnold, Lindsey WoodwardSeries ProducersAlecia Marshall, Alan StaceyExecutive ProducersJeremy Herrin, Brian Hill, Holly Race Roughan"The Guardian "⭐⭐⭐⭐ Headlong’s superb series explores lockdown life, with a cast including Alison Steadman, Katherine Parkinson, Lennie James and Gemma Arterton
"The Independent"⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unprecedented, BBC4, review: an impressive artistic first response to coronavirus Leading playwrights, including James Graham, have produced a short series of dramas in response to the current crisis