PANDEMIC STORY
Breathtaking cast, plot and filming locations explained – all about the ITV drama
This powerful medical drama is based on an incredible true story
EVERYONE in the world was affected in some way by the 2020 outbreak of Covid.
Now ITV are bringing viewers a brand new gripping drama called Breathtaking, which follows NHS medics during the pandemic.
1
Who is in the cast of Breathtaking?
Joanne Froggatt
Actress of the moment Joanne Froggatt leads the cast of Breathtaking.
She plays NHS frontline worker, Dr Abbey Henderson, who speaks out after her team is pushed to breaking point during the pandemic
Speaking about the role, Joanne told ITV: “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.
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"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.”
Joanne continued: “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.”
Away from Breathtaking, and Joanne is best known for playing Anna Bates in Downton Abbey, and it's spin-off movies.
The talented actress also won high acclaim for her role in ITV's Liar.
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Joining Joanne in the Breathtaking cast:
- Fit Tester – Amber Muldoon
- Dr Ant Vyas – Bhav Joshi
- Emma Mutamba Irungu – Donna Banya
- Archie Williams – Joseph Charles
- Dr Joanne Alba – Stephanie Street
- Dr Neil Westland – Thom Petty
- Chantelle Gregory – Naomi Denny
- Dr Rossi – Afro Parise
- Dr Metin Ozkul – Philip Arditti
- Yussuf Ahmad – Tamer Doghem
- Clare Boxall – Lucy Montgomery
- Hca June – Stacey Gregg
- Mrs Ahmad – Roxanne Scrimshaw
- Dr Huw Shelby – George Georgiou
- Divina Aquino – Georgia Goodman
- Nick Henderson – Christopher Hatherall
- Tommy Henderson – Henry Meredith
- Robyn Henderson – Eleanore-Beatriz Viveiros
- Dr Mike Prentiss – Mark Dexter
- Alison Frampton – Tammy Heath
- Cressida Frost – Mary Woodvine
Long covid survivor Dr Natalie Macdermott reviews new ITV covid drama Breathtaking
What is Breathtaking about?
The Breathtaking plot is drawn from Rachel Clarke’s 2021 memoir of the same name, and is based on a true story.
The story starts weeks before the UK’s first national lockdown, and follows acute medicine consultant Dr Abbey Henderson and her team as they struggle with the first wave of Covid-19 patients.
Running out of PPE, staff, and beds, Abbey is forced to make difficult healthcare decisions as her colleagues begin to be infected with the deadly virus.
When lockdown is finally imposed, the pandemic stretches her and the team to their limits as they confront government policy in relation to care home discharges and inadequate PPE.
They try their best to save patients but are forced to endure the trauma of loss and tragedy caused by Covid-19.
As winter arrives, a new wave hits the hospital, this time with Covid deniers surfacing too, which causes the team to reach their breaking point.
Scarred and enraged, Abbey cannot maintain her silence any longer and decides to risk everything by speaking out.
Where was Breathtaking filmed?
Although Breathtaking is based on a true story, the series is set in a fictional big-city hospital
The hard-hitting series was filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2023.
Production from Breathtaking was part funded by Northern Ireland Screen, a public-sector film association.
How can I watch Breathtaking?
The first episode of Breathtaking airs TONIGHT (February 19, 2024) at 9pm and will be streaming on ITVX.
The drama will run over three consecutive nights at 9pm.
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The three-part series will conclude on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Fans can also catch up with episodes on ITVX, once they have aired.
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