Doctor Who and Bridgerton favourite confirmed to lead new outing of BAFTA-winning Channel 4 drama
Nicola Coughlan will star in I Am Helen.
Channel 4 has announced the return of its anthology drama series I Am, with Dominic Savage coming back to craft a new instalment led by Bridgerton and Doctor Who star Nicola Coughlan.
As has been the case previously, the latest I Am, a two-part run called I Am Helen, has been developed by both Savage and its star, this time Coughlan. Gangs of London and Peaky Blinders actor Joe Cole will also star in the project.
Little is yet known about the plot of I Am Helen, but it is the first time the plot has been split over two parts - the show previously ran for two seasons made up of three stories each, as well as a one-off film called I Am Ruth, starring Kate Winslet. That most recent instalment aired on Channel 4 in December 2022.
Coughlan said in a statement: "It’s an absolute honour to be part of telling the next I Am… story alongside Dominic Savage - a singular talent and a storyteller deeply committed to exploring the breadth of the female experience.
"To follow in the footsteps of the brilliant women who’ve collaborated with him on this series feels truly surreal, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be embarking on this journey."
Meanwhile, Gemma Boswell, commissioning editor for Channel 4 Drama at Channel 4 said: "We are delighted to welcome back Dominic Savage alongside the supremely talented Nicola Coughlan in I Am Helen.
"The I Am series is a powerful and timely portrait of our times, and we are thrilled to have the powerhouse combination of Dominic and Nicola to tell such a distinctive and impactful story."
As well as Winslet and now Coughlan, other instalments in the I Am series have been led by Vicky McClure, Samantha Morton, Gemma Chan, Suranne Jones, Letitia Wright and Lesley Manville.
Coughlan is known for starring in Channel 4 shows Derry Girls and Big Mood, as well as for her starring role in Bridgerton and her one-off appearance in the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special.
I Am Helen will air on Channel 4.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
