New Channel 4 series Help begins tonight starring Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham – here is everything you need to know about the new drama.
The acting pair specifically requested to work together, as they approached writer Jack Thorne, asking him to write them a series to both star in.
This led to the creation of devastating drama Help, which follows care home worker Sarah’s (Jodie Comer) unlikely friendship with Tony (Stephen Graham) who suffers from Young Onset Alzheimer’s.
But everything changes when they find themselves in the grips of the coronavirus crisis, which took hold of the nation – and the world – last March.
Tonight’s feature-length episode will give viewers insight into the unprecedented situation experienced by those in care homes during the pandemic.
When does Help start?
Help airs tonight, Thursday September 16 on Channel 4 at 9pm.
The special one-off installment will run for 120 minutes until 11.05pm.
Jodie previously tweeted to encourage her fans to tune in, writing: ‘Here is the poster for our drama HELP coming to @channel4 THIS Thursday 16th at 9pm. Directed by Marc Munden and written by Jack Thorne. Please, please tune in.’
The show will also be available to stream on All 4 and stream via catch-up on the web player service.
Who is in the cast of Help?
Some of Liverpool’s finest acting stars, Killing Eve’s Jodie and Line Of Duty’s Stephen, come together as the main duo in Help, Sarah and Tony.
Harry Potter and My Mad Fat Diary star Ian Hart plays Sarah’s boss and the manager of Bright Sky Homes, where Tony is living.
Sue Johnston, who is best known for her role as Barbara Royle in The Royle Family, plays another resident in the care home also suffering from dementia, named Gloria.
Sarah’s mum Lesley is her number one fan and she is portrayed by Lesley Sharp, who has a multitude of TV and film credits to her name, including as DS Janet Scott in ITV police drama, Scott and Bailey.
Other names who will feature include Cathy Tyson, as Polly, a former English teacher with dementia, Andrew Schofield as Sarah’s challenging father Bob and Coronation Street and Waterloo Road star Angela Griffin who plays Tori, another care assistant at Bright Sky Homes.
Is there a trailer for Help?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Help here.
What is the plot of Help?
The programme is set in the spring of 2020 in a Liverpool-based care home.
Underachiever Sarah is offered a job in the care home, which unexpectedly becomes her calling.
She forms a special bond with 47-year-old Tony, who is suffering from Early Onset Alzheimer’s that has forced him into a care home as he gradually deteriorates.
However, whilst the pair initially both start to improve things for each other, they are then hit with the arrival of the coronavirus in spring 2020.
Sarah and her colleagues fight tooth and nail to try to help the residents of the care home after being left underprepared and poorly equipped.
She finds herself pushed into a dark corner and desperately looks for a way out – but will she and Tony be okay?
Help airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.