Written by Dennis Kelly and co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, the piece was originally conceived for the stage but adapted for television during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The drama beat stiff competition from Death of England: Face to Face, Help and I Am Victoria.
The one-off film from Shoebox Films, Sonia Friedman Productions and BBC Film broadcast on BBC Two in June 2021. It focuses on a family in the midst of the pandemic, like so many, who found a way to survive - together. It’s the hilarious and heartbreaking story of a husband and wife who are forced to re-evaluate themselves and their relationship through the reality of lockdown.
Collecting the award on behalf of the producers was scriptwriter and executive producer Dennis Kelly who read a letter from the campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, calling for a public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.
The letter included: “The government’s response has gone from strange to careless to negligent – our loved ones’ lives treated as expendable, collateral damage. The government was too busy partying to spare us a thought, even daring to tell us they were too busy to meet with us, or to start an inquiry promptly. We may never know how many of our loved ones’ lives could have been saved if things had been done differently, but we will not rest until we know that everything possible has been done to ensure others are spared this heartbreak and pain.”
The letter finished with a direct call to action for Boris Johnson: “Prime Minister, if you are listening, start the Covid inquiry now so we can learn lessons and save lives.”
Together is a Shoebox Films and Sonia Friedman Productions film for BBC Two and BBC Film. Executive producers are Dennis Kelly; Rose Garnett, director BBC Film; and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC. Deals were negotiated by Clare Hardwick of Grey Seal Media on behalf of production and Geraldine Atlee for the BBC.
This was one of two BAFTA nominations Sonia Friedman Productions received this year – the second was for Short Form Programme for its co-produced People You May Know.