Channel 4’s First Digital Original Drama Hits YouTube: An Exclusive Interview with Uzo Oleh
In a move that is set to excite fans of science fiction and drama, Channel 4’s first digital original drama, Beth, has been released on YouTube as three shorts. The series, which is part of a bigger story entitled Echo, tells the story of a family’s journey through a miraculous pregnancy and the subsequent revelation that challenges their perceptions of reality.
According to Uzo Oleh, the writer and director of Beth, the idea for the series came about over two years ago, and it has been a labor of love to bring it to life. "I love a short because of what it forces you to do," Oleh tells Radio Times. "It forces you to be economical and use symbolism and subtext to get a point across and keep things moving."
The story of Beth revolves around the character of Joe, played by Nicholas Pinnock, as he navigates the complexities of his wife Molly’s pregnancy and the birth of their daughter Imogen. The twist in the story is that Imogen bears no resemblance to Joe, leading to a series of questions and revelations that challenge the family’s understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Oleh’s inspiration for the series came from his background in photography and science. "I was a photographer for many years, but before being a photographer, I was an optician," he explains. "I spent my younger years as a scientist and then became an artist – I always think those two things blend really well."
The scientific concept that Oleh drew upon for the series is parthenogenesis, a natural form of asexual reproduction that occurs in some animals. "I read about parthenogenesis in Scientific American and I was like, ‘Get f**ked. This is not a thing. What are you talking about?’" Oleh laughs. "And basically, it’s every other animal, apart from mammals. So, it was like, ‘Why is no one talking about this?’"
Beth is a story that explores themes of family, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. Oleh says that the series is not political, but rather a tale of a family navigating a extraordinary situation. "We’re humans and, honestly, the stuff that brings us together is greater than the stuff that pulls us apart," he says.
The series features a talented cast, including Abbey Lee as Molly and Nicholas Pinnock as Joe. Oleh praises the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication to bringing the story to life. "When you just had the trust and the faith, everyone’s pulling their weight and trying things… We’ve really delivered something that’s actually quite beautiful," he says.
One of the most striking aspects of Beth is its use of symbolism and biblical references. The character names, for example, have links to sacred texts, with Joe being a nod to Joseph, Molly being a reference to Mary, and Imogen being a Welsh name meaning "innocent child". Oleh explains that the title Beth is short for Bethlehem, and that there are many other subtle references to the Bible throughout the series.
Oleh’s approach to storytelling is rooted in his fascination with classic tales and the human experience. "If you read the Bible and you read the Quran, you go ‘Oh’," he says. "What we’ve learned is if you watch a Hollywood movie, there’s a system – Save the Cat. There’s a few other different archetypes of storytelling but it’s the same in the Bible, the same in many religious texts."
As for the future of the series, Oleh reveals that Beth is essentially a prequel to Echo, and that there are plans to continue building on this story in a TV series format. "Absolutely, that’s the plan," he says. "I’ve already written a bunch. So, yeah, those characters are flying."
In addition to his work on Beth, Oleh is currently writing a feature film that explores the theme of true love and passion versus revenge. "We’re exploring that in a story where I’m going to hopefully get you to love someone and hate someone at the same time," he explains.
Beth airs on Channel 4 on Monday 9th June at 10pm. With its unique blend of science fiction, drama, and biblical references, it is set to be a talking point for fans of television and science fiction.
[Image: Abbey Lee as Molly and Nicholas Pinnock as Joe in Beth sitting in a doctor’s office and listening to some news.]
[Image: Uzo Oleh attends an event and poses on the red carpet in a suit.]
[Image: Nicholas Pinnock as Joe in Beth, sitting against a wall and looking sad.]
