‘It is a testament to the power of documentary storytelling.’
I was ten and living in a commuter town outside of London when 7/7 happened.
I have a strong memory of the line of kids waiting to use the school phone to call to check their parents were ok, but that’s as much as I can recall.
What struck me whilst watching The Slate Works’ series is that I’ve seen a whole host of 9/11 documentaries throughout my life and am pretty clued up on the facts, yet I knew barely anything about something that happened so much closer to home.
The four-part series provides a detailed recount of the events of 7 July 2005, and the three weeks following, including the failed 21 July bombing attempt and the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, a day later.
Each story is given emotional weight alongside its factual recollection and there is a genuine sense every contributor is being listened to and given space by the producers as the talking heads.
The story of the body recovery and forensic teams talking to the bodies of the victims, never leaving them alone in the tunnels will forever stay with me as one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking examples of love and humanity.
7/7: The London Bombings isn’t an easy watch – I had to pause for a big cry several times – but it is a testament to the power of documentary storytelling.
STREAMING SHOW OF THE YEAR
Overcompensating – Prime Video
It’s a tale as old as time.
In 2013 a closeted gay guy goes to college/uni and forms an intense friendship with a girl who inadvertently acts as his beard. They scheme to get the attention of the gay guy’s (sadly) straight crush from film class, then make a short “artsy” film of the girl shot in black and white, set to a song from Lorde’s debut album for said film class.
Upon reflection, it is both hilarious and the cringiest thing you’ve ever done…
Ok, it might not be a tale as old as time, but it happened to me and my best friend Elliott AND to the characters of Benny and Carmen in Overcompensating.
Not only did Overcompensating have me calling up Elliott to ask if he’d sold our life rights, but it became my comfort watch during a particularly crappy year.
It hit the right blend of laugh-out-loud comedy, early 2010s nostalgia, emotional punches and genuine heart.
At times it’s completely silly, but never strays into unrelatable. Benny’s journey of self-acceptance is mirrored in his sister, friends and even parents accepting themselves in different ways and forms a stunning ensemble.
As do Benito Skinner, Mary Beth Barone, Wally Baram, Holmes and the whole host of comedy geniuses on the screen and in the writers room.
I’m now a full card-carrying Baronie (if you know, you know) and am beyond excited for series two.
| Top five UK broadcaster shows | Top five streamer shows | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7/7: The London Bombings, The Slate Works for BBC2 | 1 | Overcompensating, Amazon Prime Video | |
| 2 | Big Boys, Roughcut TV for C4 | 2 | American Murder: Gabby Petito, Netflix | |
| 3 | Such Brave Girls, Various Artists Limited, A24 for BBC3 | 3 | The Studio, Apple TV | |
| 4 | Outrageous, Firebird Pictures for U& Drama | 4 | Grenfell: Uncovered, Rogan Productions for Netflix | |
| 5 | The Celebrity Traitors, Studio Lambert for BBC1 | 5 | Wayward, Objective Fiction for Netflix |
- Alice Redman, editor, Broadcast Intelligence
Broadcast’s shows of the year
Members of the team pick their favourite programmes of 2025
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Currently
reading
Alice Redman: 7/7: The London Bombings, BBC1
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