The hard-hitting Channel 4 drama Help stars Killing Eve actor Jodie Comer and This Is England star Stephen Graham as a care worker and resident facing the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
Viewers seeking a powerful drama rooted in actual events should delve into Channel 4’s Help.
The 2021 Channel 4 production, featuring renowned actors Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer, united two of Britain’s finest performers in remarkable roles.
The feature-length television film Help was written by distinguished screenwriter Jack Thorne, whose portfolio includes Adolescence and the recent television adaptation of Lord of the Flies. Located in a fictional Liverpool care facility during early 2020, the narrative examines the catastrophic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on both residents and employees.
Comer portrays Sarah, a young carer who has just begun working at the establishment, while Graham takes on the role of Tony, a resident suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
As the coronavirus emergency sweeps across the UK, both individuals encounter mounting obstacles as they attempt to safeguard those in their care.
Part of the drama’s synopsis reads: “Then March 2020 hits, and everything Sarah has achieved is thrown into doubt with the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. She and her colleagues tirelessly fight tooth and nail, ill-equipped, poorly prepared, and seemingly left helpless by the powers that be.
“A determined Sarah goes to extraordinary lengths to protect those in her care, whose conditions make their suffering and isolation all the more traumatic. But the staff’s unwavering commitment, compassion and heroic efforts can only do so much, and Sarah is pushed into a dark corner and desperately looks for a way out,” reports the Mirror.
The series’ emotional power largely revolves around a crucial overnight shift in which Sarah finds herself alone, grappling with escalating demands and untenable situations.
Upon release, Help garnered widespread critical praise and maintains an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were equally stunned by its impact.
Jodie Comer’s performance earned particular acclaim, with The Post NZ noting: “If you’ve only ever seen Jodie Comer as Killing Eve’s villainous Villanelle, then prepare to be gobsmacked by her latest turn.”
Another critique described the actress as “exceptional”, calling it “one of her best performances yet” (via Fangirl Freakout in 2022).
IndieWire, meanwhile, commended both principal actors, observing: “For a fictional telling with so much emotional volatility, finding performers who can manage that heavy, delicate lifting is a key task. Fortunately, Help has twin pillars in the form of Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham”.
Help is available to watch on Channel4.com
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