Viewers left in tears at powerful drama Help
Starring Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham
Last updated 17th Sep 2021
Jack Thorne and Marc Munden’s hard-hitting new drama Help, starring award-winning actors Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham, aired on Channel 4 last night (Thursday 16th September), leaving viewers speechless and very emotional.
The 90-minute, one off drama showcased the struggle care homes and care workers faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with PPE shortages, staffing issues and residents becoming sick and later dying with the horrible virus.
Set in a fictional Liverpool care home, Jodie played the role of a young care worker called Sarah, who was thrown into the deep end during the pandemic, being forced to look after a large number of sick residents alone, whilst working 20 hour shifts in the process with little protection.
The powerful storyline followed Sarah’s caring relationship with a resident called Tony (Stephen Graham), who suffered from Young Onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 47.
As viewers watched the 90-minute drama, many were left in tears at the incredible portrayal of the sad reality that many have faced over the last 20 months.
Speaking about her role in Help, Killing Eve actress Jodie said: “It’s an exploration of how people on the frontline had to adjust and adapt to the severity of the situation around them at the outbreak of the pandemic and what they were left to deal with.
"Within that, there are these gorgeous relationships between the residents and care workers, one of the residents being Stephen’s character, Tony.
"It feels like a very human story, and it’s something that I think a lot of people can relate to right now. I hope that this film goes some way in telling the unseen and unheard stories of our country’s carers and the horrendous position they found themselves in."
To showcase even further the true struggles the care sector faced during the pandemic, Help writers included the below facts at the end of the drama:
‘Of the 48,213 Covid deaths registered between mid-March and mid-June 2020, 40% were care home residents.’
‘The Government supplied NHS trusts with approximately 80% of their estimated PPE need between mid-March and mid-July 2020.
‘It supplied the adult social care sector with approximately 10% of its estimated need of PPE.’
Now check out which other TV shows Jodie Comer is in:
Holby City
In 2009, 16-year-old Jodie played the role of patient Ellie Jenkins in hospital drama Holby City.
Waterloo Road
Jodie went on to join the cast of Waterloo Road in 2010, playing the role of Sarah Evans. However, her spell on the show was short-lived, with Jodie only featuring in one episode in series six.
Justice
Jodie got her first major role in 2011, playing the character Sharna Mulhearne in BBC legal drama Justice.
Doctors
Teenager Jodie appeared in a single episode of Doctors in 2012, playing the role of struggling single mum called Kelly Lowther.
Silent Witness
Crime drama series Silent Witness has been one of the BBC's most popular shows over the years, and in 2012, Jodie appeared in a two-part episode, playing the role of Eve Gilston.
Casualty
You can't appear on Holby City and not land a starring role on Casualty! Jodie played the role of patient Maddy Eldon in a 2012 episode of the hit hospital drama.
Law & Order UK
Jodie went on to appear in an episode of the UK adaptation of Law & Order, playing the role of Jess Hays for a one-off episode.
Vera
Also in 2013, Jodie appeared in a one-off episode of Vera, playing the role of Izzy Rawlins, the girlfriend of a man who was found burnt to death in a river.
Inspector George Gently
Another BBC crime drama ticked off the list. In 2013 Jodie played the role of Justine Leyland in Inspector George Gently.
Remember Me
Jodie starred in TV mini-series Remember Me in 2014, playing the role of teenage care assistant Hannah Ward.
My Big Fat Mad Diary
Between 2013-2015, Jodie played the role of Chloe Gemell in E4 comedy My Big Fat Mad Diary. Jodie's character Chloe was the best friend of main star Rachel, played by actress Sharon Rooney.
Thirteen
Jodie then went on to appear in BBC mini-series Thirteen in 2016, playing the lead role of Ivy Moxam, a girl who went missing at the age of just 13.
Rillington Place
Another major role for Jodie saw her appear in 2016 drama Rillington Place, where she played the role of Beryl Evans, living under the same roof as a serial killer with her on-screen husband Tim Evans.
The White Princess
In a contrast to her previous roles, in 2017 Jodie played Elizabeth of York in medieval drama The White Princess, which was based on Philippa Gregory's 2013 novel.
Doctor Foster
Perhaps one of her more well-known roles to date, Jodie starred alongside the likes of Suranne Jones and Bertie Carvel in popular BBC drama Doctor Foster in 2017.
England Is Mine
Jodie played the role of Christine in 2017 movie England Is Mine, a film about Morrissey and his early-life in the 1970s.
Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives
In 2018, Jodie starred in all-female cast of Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives, a series created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Jodie starred in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, playing the role of Rey's mother.
Killing Eve
In 2018, BBC drama Killing Eve took the world by storm, giving Jodie the platform to showcase her amazing acting skills by portraying Russian assassin Villanelle.
The show is now onto its fourth series, with the whole world crediting Jodie for her amazing part in the show.
Talking Heads
Jodie appeared in Talking Heads in 2020, a remake of Alan Bennett's monologues. Jodie's episode was titled 'Her Big Chance' (1988), which was directed by Josie Rourke.
Free Guy
Jodie starred alongside Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Reynolds in Free Guy. Originally slated for release in December 2020, the film was sadly pushed back due to the pandemic and was then released in August 2021.
The Last Duel
Jodie starred in medieval film The Last Duel, released in 2021 after production was postponed during the pandemic. Based on a book by Eric Jager, Jodie portrayed Marguerite de Carrouges, the wife of Matt Damon's character Jean de Carrouges who takes part in the last ever legally sanctioned duel in France.
Help
In September 2021, Jodie joined fellow Liverpudlian actor Stephen Graham in hard-hitting Channel 4 drama Help. The one-off drama showed the difficulties care homes suffered during the Coronavirus pandemic, with Jodie playing the role of a young care worker called Sarah.
In May 2022, Jodie was awarded with a BAFTA TV Award in the Leading Actress category for her portrayal in the drama.
Prima Facie
In October 2021, Jodie confirmed she would be making her West End debut, playing the role of a criminal barrister in Suzie Miller's new play Prima Facie, which took place in 2022.
It was announced in June 2022 that the show would be going on Broadway in 2023, with Jodie writing on social media: 'I am so honoured to play a part in the telling of this story and beyond thrilled that next week isn't the end. It means so much to see and hear so many of your positive responses. Thank you to all of you who have supported the show and a special shout out to those who have travelled thousands of miles, now it's our turn. I love you Tess, we're going to BROADWAY!' (sic) In March 2023, Jodie won an Olivier Award for her performance in the play, in the Best Actress category.
The End We Start From
Jodie landed a new film role in apocalyptic thriller The End We Start From. In September 2022, she shared a first-look photo of herself from the film and wrote: 'Meet Zeb and Woman'. The movie then hit cinemas in January 2024. Jodie stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the movie, where she also acted as an Executive Producer.
The Bikeriders
Jodie is set to appear in The Bikeriders, taking on the role of Kathy as she stars alongside Austin Butler and Tom Hardy. The film is due to be released in cinemas on 21st June 2024 and is inspired by the book of the same name, which depicts the lives of members of a Chicago motorcycle club.
If you missed the honest drama, you can watch Help on All 4 now.