Unprecedented (TV series)

Unprecedented
Also known asUnprecedented: Real Time Theatre From a State of Isolation
Written byVarious
Directed byVarious
No. of series1
No. of episodes5
Production
Production companiesHeadlong
Century Films
Original release
NetworkBBC Four
Release26 May (2020-05-26) –
28 May 2020 (2020-05-28)
NetworkBBC iPlayer
Release29 May 2020 (2020-05-29)

Unprecedented (originally titled: Unprecedented: Real Time Theatre from a State of Isolation) is a 2020 UK television series first shown on BBC Four.[1][2][3][4]

It comprised 14 short plays, first broadcast 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. Actors taking part included Geraldine James, Lennie James and Alison Steadman.[1][2]

Plays

Plays and episodes in Unprecedented
Episode Date first broadcast Title Writer Director[5][1][6] Principal cast members[5][6][7]
1[8] 26 May 2020 Viral James Graham Ola Ince Laurie Kynaston
Penny Charlene James Holly Race Roughan Lennie James
Going Forward John Donnelly Blanche McIntyre Frances Grey
2[9] 27 May 2020 Romantic Distancing Tim Price Jeremy Herrin Arthur Darvill
Inès De Clercq
Safer at Home Anna Maloney Brian Hill Gemma Arterton
House Party April De Angelis Holly Race Roughan Cecilia Noble
Meera Syal
3[10] 28 May 2020 Grounded Duncan Macmillan Jeremy Herrin Katherine Parkinson
Alison Steadman
Fear Fatigue Prasanna Puwanarajah Brian Hill Rory Kinnear
Jodie McNee
4[11] 28 May 2020 Kat and Zaccy Deborah Bruce Deborah Bruce Monica Dolan
The Unexpected Expert Matilda Ibini Debbie Hannan Saida Ahmed
Lucianne McEvoy
Golda Rosheuvel
The Night After Josh Azouz Ned Bennett Kathryn Hunter
Marcello Magni
5[12] 29 May 2020 Central Hill Nathaniel Martello-White Nathaniel Martello-White Julian Barratt
Abraham Popoola
Erin Doherty
Batshit Jasmine Lee-Jones Tinuke Craig Kae Alexander
Everybody's Talkin' Chloe Moss Caitlin McLeod Denise Gough
Sue Johnston
Rochenda Sandall

References

  1. ^ a b c Akbar, Arifa (26 May 2020). "Unprecedented review – making gripping drama out of corona crisis". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b Bano, Tim (27 May 2020). "Unprecedented review – BBC Four, BBC iPlayer". The Stage. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Unprecedented". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Four. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. ^ Sweeting, Adam (27 May 2020). "Unprecedented, BBC Four review - perspectives on the pandemic". theartsdesk.com. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b Thomas, Sophie (20 May 2020). "New series of digital plays coming to BBC, starring Gemma Arterton, Arthur Darvill and Rory Kinnear". London Theatre. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b Al-Hassan, Aliya (4 June 2020). "Review: UNPRECEDENTED - EPISODE FIVE, BBC iPlayer". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  7. ^ Fisher, Philip (26 May 2020). "Stream review: Unprecedented from Headlong, Century Films and BBC Culture in Quarantine". British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Unprecedented: Episode 1". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Four. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Unprecedented: Episode 2". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Four. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  10. ^ {{cite web Katherine Parkinson
    Alison Steadman|title=Unprecedented: Episode 3 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jjj4 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC Four |access-date=28 December 2020}}
  11. ^ "Unprecedented: Episode 4". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Four. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Unprecedented: Episode 5". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Four. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.