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Breathtaking performance from Joanne Froggatt as Covid intensive care doctor

What I didn’t think I needed when the TV week began was a harrowing drama about Covid called Breathtaking (ITV, Mon).

It’s worth checking the calendar every now and then as it’s now four years since we battled this invisible enemy, but for many, it must be as fresh as yesterday.

And all credit to ITV for another win in factual drama – an engrossing, upsetting and inevitably disturbing series about the early weeks of coronavirus, when politicians, clinicians, and the public knew very little about what was coming.

If we’re honest, and looking back, we were all erring on the side of optimism. The weather didn’t help – it was a sunny, warm spring.

Breathtaking is based on a book written by intensive care doctor Rachel Clarke. In it, she details, with painstaking accuracy, how she — Dr Abbey Henderson in the drama — and her embattled colleagues tried to cope with this unpredictable foe.

Add to that the deft writing skills of Line of Duty maestro, Jed Mercurio, and you have a drama that felt very raw.

Henderson was played by Downton Abbey’s ladies maid Joanne Froggatt. This latest role couldn’t be further from her turn below stairs. For one, there was no Mr Carson to offer a shoulder to cry on.

Here, Froggatt’s face tells a story of constant fear, and at times desperation.

It’s amazing, given that Abbey Henderson had a partner and two children at home, that she simply didn’t walk out of the hospital when she saw two close colleagues succumbing to Covid. But that would be a coward’s way out.

Henderson, at least in the first episode, stays at her post and does everything possible to protect herself when there’s precious little PPE to be had in the storerooms.

What a disgraceful situation these brave workers faced. May it never happen again, but something tells me that’s a naive view.

I can’t have been alone in wanting to give the NHS another rousing round of applause as we did every Thursday during Covid. We can only be grateful that Rachel Clarke had the presence of mind to write down what was happening.

The Way Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen as director does it his way in a new BBC drama (Image: BBC)

Across the way, on BBC One, you could find the cryptic crossword of the week —The Way (BBC1, Mon). It was actor-turned-director, Michael Sheen’s “drama” about an insurrection in Port Talbot. Well, that’s my best guess.

The first mystery was the title – The Way. Whose Way? I would have much preferred My Way, because it would have encouraged the playing of a decent song at some point during the first episode. But nothing was predictable about this drama and it didn’t know which way to go.

It was a rather joyless piece as well, taking itself, incredibly seriously to the detriment of audience enjoyment. For goodness sake, in the first five minutes we had someone set fire to themselves in the High Street.

It also seemed a waste to bring together, such a fine cast, two of whom — Steffan Rhodri and Mark Lewis Jones — had starred recently in the Viagra drama Men Up, set in nearby Swansea.

I know what you’re thinking, but I’m unaware of any connection between the two dramas. I do, however, advise viewers to use any medication to hand if they need to watch all three episodes.

That said, I don’t know what would encourage me to watch further episodes. Perhaps a signed declaration from Michael Sheen that he will put some plot in the final two parts.

We couldn’t get away from Mr Sheen, who made an appearance at the glittering BAFTAs (BBC1, Sun) in a pre-show sketch. His performance in this show was a great improvement on The Way, which alas is not saying much.

Sheen and host David Tennant did a creative little skit about who would look after Michael’s dog called Bark Ruffalo. After that joke, I knew the evening was going to be a complete pup.

Do actors make good presenters? Tennant was better than average, happy to have a little fun at the expense of his fellow thesps.

Next year, however, can we please have Ricky Gervais, just as a treat. It won’t happen but it’s nice to think about.

Finally, the most jaw-dropping show was a trip Into the Congo with Ben Fogle (C5, Mon). It was alarming to see the Mbendjele people, with most of them living on wild honey and green leaves, while Ben applauded their simple way of life and care of the rainforest.

Call me old-fashioned, but I couldn’t help but wonder why Fogle hadn’t brought a gift for his hosts. His visit seemed incredibly awkward for all concerned, though he was very touched by their affection.

It reminded me of a documentary I’d once watched of the tribe in the South Pacific who worshipped the late Prince Philip as their God. A diet of fresh air and abundant undergrowth can certainly do amazing things.

STEPHENSON’S ROCKET

What have you done, Ben Shephard? You have taken a big job on This Morning – congratulations – but you have now left Good Morning Britain with a huge celebrity hole to fill that Ed Balls might mistakenly fall into.

Does anyone care? Yes, Kate Garraway surely for one. She has lost a long-time presenting partner.

And another thing – why wasn’t Josie Gibson, a natural broadcaster, appointed as Ben Shephard’s partner on This Morning. She is warm, and genuine. After the appointment of Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, both ITV shows are now the poorer.

Thank goodness for Loose Women!

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Source: NewsFinale

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