The BBC has commissioned three new documentaries fronted by TV presenter Stacey Dooley, including one made by Nine Lives Media.
In Down the K-Hole made by the Bafta-winning Manchester indie for BBC Three and iPlayer, Stacey Dooley spends five months in a Stockport rehabilitation unit to discover if former users are able to overcome their ketamine addictions and rebuild their lives.
She follows several of the rehab’s clients through their treatment as they learn to reconnect with life without drugs, through their setbacks and successes.
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The two other documentaries include Death in the Barracks, made by Sandpaper films, where Dooley explores the events leading up to Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck’s tragic death at her barracks at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire.
And Fallen Women, made by Story Films, sees Dooley look into a series of cases involving British women who died following falls from height, asking whether patterns of domestic abuse may have been overlooked in some of these deaths.
Stacey Dooley said: “Each one of these documentaries explores difficult, often overlooked issues, from the deaths of women where crucial questions remain, to the growing impact of ketamine use, and for some, the devastating reality faced by those living in military barracks.
“They are going to be some of the most challenging, and important films I’ve worked on here in the UK I’m sure. The access we have been afforded to meet those affected, to hear their stories and try to understand the broader picture feels like an enormous responsibility and one that isn’t lost on me. I would like to thank everyone who has agreed to contribute. And I hope all three films encourage thoughtful conversations.”
Emma Loach, Interim head of commissioning, Documentaries, added: “Across these documentaries, Stacey draws attention to urgent and deeply troubling issues here in the UK, creating space for voices and experiences that are too often unheard. These are powerful, intimate films that reflect the very best of British storytelling.
“We’re hugely grateful to all those who have shared their personal stories with us for their openness and courage.”
Down the K-Hole was commissioned by Clare Sillery, former head of commissioning, Documentaries. The executive producers for Nine Lives Media are Cat Lewis and Daniel Harrison, the commissioning editor is Fran Baker and the commissioning executive is Shona Thompson.
