Yes Ellie, a great out of the blue surprise as well. On a personal note, projects like 4Stories that support underrepresented talent are close to my heart, and it's heart warming that Damien is involved.
So, according to Damiens's Curtis Brown and Spotlight CVs:
- Damien's character's name is Lenny (or Lennie? )
- 'Cradled' will be part of Channel 4's excellent 'On The Edge' series:
"Drama anthology championing new film-making talent that serves up a raw slice of real life in modern Britain."
I can't believe when we heard it was 4Stories I didn't realise it was On The Edge.. the first 2 series were excellent and included some of Damien's previous co-stars - Rudi Dharmalingam and Michael Socha...
So this will be one part of three in series 3!
Still undecided if this should be in the film or TV section of the forum!??
Cradled is a gut-wrenching horror about a young mother experiencing a breakdown. Written by Nessah Muthy and directed by Chloe Wicks.
On The Edge, Channel 4’s BAFTA nominated anthology of dramas is returning for a third series. Produced by BlackLight Television, a Banijay UK company, the brand-new films will once again be written and directed by the most exciting new talent in the UK. This series explores the impact of mental health in families, depicted through the lens of different parent-child relationships and brought to life through three exciting genres – a romantic comedy, a road trip and a horror.
We have an air date for Damien's 'On The Edge' episode!
And... it is not long to wait!
10.30 PM SUNDAY 7 NOVEMBER
on Channel 4
It is airing as the second film of three in the drama anthology, which returns for its third series 10 pm on Sunday on Channel 4.
10 pm On The Edge: Mincemeat
10.30 pm On The Edge: Cradled
11 pm: On The Edge: Superdad
All episodes will also be available on demand on All4.
We know the series explores the impact of mental health in families, and that Cradled is a gut-wrenching horror. The All 4 TV guide gives a little more detail:
Gut-wrenching horror. Maia ought to be happy: She has a great husband, a nice home and a lovely baby. But something terrifying is happening.
Wow... what an incredible piece of drama this was. Really intense and poignant.
Ellora Torchia's outstanding performance in the pivotal role should earn her an award. She had me in tears throughout.
Loved seeing Damien in the Daddy role as Lenny - didn't that baby just love him? I am by no means being flippant. This was a serious role highlighting important issues.
I feel a little misled by the episode info released by Channel 4 and press, 'gut wrenching horror' it certainly was, but much more than that. So glad Damien gave us the full heads up on his Instagram about it exploring postpartum psychosis, as a child survivor of severe postpartum depression for several years (in the days when it was far less recognised) I was glad to be prepared.
Anyone else see it? Would love to hear your thoughts...
Having watched Cradled 3 times now, I'm convinced it will win awards. As a piece of drama it does so many things in half an hour, so beautifully crafted from the writing to the final film.
*Spoilers warning!*
Both characters are on a journey as a couple but also individually, Lenny learning that his belief and hope early on that Maia is over her postnatal psychosis is completely wrong, she is not ok at all and she is dealing with it on her own, secretly.
While Lenny is a wonderful, natural Father, who clearly adores Vivi, who clearly adores him, Maia's sense of failure and secrecy is reinforced when she looks at their bond, compared to hers and their baby.
Maia endures her own private torture, not able to tell Lenny or her Mum, who think she is 'over it', trying to function, to be a Mum, to be her Mum's "strong girl" and be grateful for how '"lucky" she is... and utterly terrified within her own mind. Her Mum trying to help but in denial and inadvertently making things worse, "everyone is obsessed with mental health these days" adds pressure on her to hide it. The few occasions when the baby 'speaks', and only she can hear, add a chilling horror to what she must be experiencing, which then amplifies as she begins to see her own reflection taunting her. Her Mum adds to the terror by telling her she mustn't say how she feels or they will take her baby away.
What is so heartbreaking is how they have no idea just how hard she is struggling..or the degree to which she is affected, only when she is actually at the point of suicide do they understand. The scene where Lenny talks to Maia as she teeters on the edge of the balcony is his point or full realisation, and when she finally feels able to ask for help.
So glad that it didn't end there, my heart really needed the final scene.