20 February 2024 , 16:51
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ITV's latest drama Breathtaking left viewers divided as some branded it "too soon".
The three-part series follows Joanne Froggatt as doctor Abbey Henderson in an NHS hospital during the very start of the coronavirus pandemic. It is based on writer Rachel Clarke's own experiences as a doctor working on the NHS frontline. The first episode launched on Monday night, which saw the very first Covid patients enter the hospital.
It showed how hospitals had to rapidly adapt, alongside clips of real advice and conflicting guidance coming from the Conservative government. Viewers took to social media to share their thoughts, with many divided over the nature of the show. Taking to X - formerly Twitter - many praised the show's "powerful" and "important" message.
Joanne Froggatt plays the lead role in the ITV drama (chris barr)One said: “Breathtaking dives deep into the heart-wrenching reality of nursing amidst Covid-19. As a nurse, it's both a necessary and daunting watch, evoking raw emotions, shedding light on the sacrifices made daily. This glimpse into our world is powerful, reminding us of the resilience.”
Another added: “Watching Breathtaking in floods of tears! As someone who was with a frontline team it all seems very very surreal! No PPE! No guidance! Only hot zones are important… thankful to still be here to be astounded by this show!” Someone else commented: “Fifteen minutes in and I'm already reliving the horrors, the frustrations, the anger. Breathtaking is going to be everything it needs to be. Never ever forget. Never ever let this happen again.”
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“Triggering to watch this… it needs to be seen,” said one viewer, as another commented: “Breathtaking is a hard watch. What a bloody mess it was.” However, some viewers found the show to be "too raw" to the real events. One said: “Not sure if it's too soon for a drama like Breathtaking to be released, it's literally only been a few years and memories are all too recent." Another added: “It’s far too soon. Families are still grieving, I refuse to watch a drama about a horrible, horrific time in history that is still very raw for very many families, and for many NHS workers too.”
“Too soon and still too raw,” said another viewer. Speaking before the show aired, Joanne said: “I feel truly honoured to be playing Dr Abbey Henderson in Breathtaking, based on Dr Rachel Clarke’s beautifully written, poignant and shocking book of the same name. 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.”
Golden-Globe-winner Joanne added: “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.”