One of last year’s most controversial documentary series, Benefits Street, returns to Channel 4 next month, this time from Stockton-on-Tees.
The first series was a ratings winner for the channel, but was described in some quarters as “poverty porn”.
Love Productions filmed the series on Kingston Road on the Tilery Estate in Stockton-On-Tees. It’s an area which has been hit hard by the recession and economic decline.
This is part about the characters in the area and part about the media reaction, because as soon as the location was announced, there was an immediate backlash. The local MP stated:
“For the producers it’s easy ratings for a few weeks, but the damage they do can last much longer.”
The first series attracted 900 complaints to Ofcom, but it was cleared of breaking any rules.
It will air on Channel 4 on 29th April.
