‘Pushed the envelope on true crime’
Sister in association with South of the River for Sky Atlantic
Based on an extraordinary true story, Sister’s visually striking drama captures both the fascinating love story of Susan and Christopher Edwards and the shocking murder of Susan’s parents, whose bodies were discovered in the couple’s back garden.
The four-part drama follows the investigation into the deeply unusual case, with the judges lauding the “terrific performances” from stars Olivia Coleman and David Thewlis in a series that was executed with humour and Sky Atlantic’s characteristic cinematic feel.
While serious crime has always provided fertile ground for compelling drama, the judges were impressed with Landscapers’ elevation of the story, which explored the couple’s relationship, as well their troubled pasts, without condoning their crimes.
The series was as bold as it was ambitious, with one judge stating that it “pushed the envelope on true crime”.
It also captured audience’s attention, with viewership blooming over 28 days of catch-up to reach 1.9 million after four showings.
One judge summed up the series as “creatively reinventing the margins of crime drama and true crime”.
Highly Commended:
Dodger
Universal, International Studios for CBBC & BBC
Described by one judge as “great fun with a big heart”, CBBC’s ambitious drama based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist expands the world of the book to create an energetic universe that joyfully reimagines the characters. Our judges praised the innovative way the series captures the well-known story for a new audience in a “successful mash-up of tones and ideas”.
Shortlisted:
Annika
Black Camel Pictures for Alibi
UKTV’s adaptation of the highly acclaimed BBC Radio 4 drama Annika carefully balances Scandi noir with wry humour to create a subversive crime series following the life of DI Annika Strandhed, played by Nicola Walker. The Scottish drama broke Alibi viewing records, accumulating 1.38 million viewers, up an impressive 1,419% vs the slot average, to make it the channel’s highest-rating programme ever.
Death of England: Face to Face
National Theatre in association with Sabel Productions & Cuba Pictures for Sky Arts
Facing Covid’s devastating impact on the arts head on, the National Theatre set out to create a new form of theatrical work on screen via a single camera, shot over a mere 14 days. While theatres remained closed, what began as staged monologues were transformed into a new screenplay, set in a London flat, as two roommates are forced to confront their relationship with their country and each other.
Ragdoll
Sid Gentle Films for Alibi
This crime thriller co-produced by Alibi and AMC elevates the serial-killer storyline, combining black comedy with bloody deaths as detectives attempt to solve the murders of six people who have been dismembered and sewn into the shape of a body. The thriller was the second-best launch since 2019 for the Alibi channel.
The Fear Index
Left Bank Pictures for Sky Atlantic
Left Bank Pictures’ edgy script unravels the complex world of algorithmic finance as main character Alex Hoffman’s world is turned upside down when he becomes the target of a plot to destroy the world’s financial markets. The Sky Atlantic drama asks provocative questions of the modern age, centring on our fear of the unknown.
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