ITV is set to deliver one of its most raw and emotionally charged dramas to date with Breathtaking, a new three-part series starring the acclaimed Joanne Froggatt.
This isn't just another hospital show; it's a visceral, unflinching look at the NHS frontline during the terrifying early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the real-life memoir of doctor and writer Rachel Clarke, the drama is adapted by Clarke alongside Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio and former hospital registrar Prasanna Puwanarajah.
A Story From The Frontline
Joanne Froggatt takes on the lead role of Dr. Abbey Henderson, a dedicated Acute Medicine Consultant whose world is turned upside down as the virus begins to spread. Viewers will follow her harrowing journey as she battles a crumbling system, a critical lack of life-saving PPE, and the impossible ethical choices that became a daily reality for healthcare heroes.
The series promises to pull no punches, depicting the sheer exhaustion, fear, and moral injury suffered by staff who were told to keep going despite being dangerously unprotected.
A Stellar Creative Team
The project boasts an incredible weight of authenticity. With Rachel Clarke's first-hand experience, Jed Mercurio's renowned talent for tense, realistic drama, and Prasanna Puwanarajah's medical insight, Breathtaking is built on a foundation of truth.
Joanne Froggatt, known for her award-winning role in Downton Abbey, is expected to deliver a powerhouse performance at the heart of this crisis.
More Than Just A Drama
Breathtaking aims to be a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of NHS workers. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they faced not just from the virus, but from a system pushed to its absolute breaking point.
This is essential viewing for anyone who lived through the pandemic and wants to understand the true cost of the battle fought within hospital walls.
The drama will air on ITV1 and be available for streaming on ITVX, ensuring this crucial story reaches the widest possible audience. A specific broadcast date is yet to be announced, but it is confirmed to be coming soon.
