Breathtaking: Season 1

2023

Medical crisis miniseries based on doctor-writer Rachel Clarke’s unflinching personal memoir of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Where to watch Breathtaking: Season 1

Breathtaking: Season 1 is available to stream in New Zealand... More now on TVNZ+.

Breathtaking: Season 1 episodes

EPISODE 1.1

Containment

In the lead up to the UK’s first Covid-19 national... More lockdown, acute medicine consultant Dr Abbey Henderson and NHS staff struggle to cope with the rising number of Covid-19 patients as the disease ravages the ward. Running out of tests, unable to use PPE, and with staff beginning to get sick, Abbey, registrar Ant, medical student Emma and the team must adapt quickly to try to stop the spread. However, unclear, ever changing government guidelines force them to make difficult healthcare decisions with devastating consequences.

EPISODE 1.2

Delay

During the first lockdown, Abbey moves away from her family... More to protect them. The team struggle between government policy and best patient care as Covid-19 patients- including a healthcare assistant on Abbey’s team (Divina)- continue to deteriorate and a cancer patient (Sally) worries she won’t survive. Abbey is forced to discharge a care home patient without proper testing. Despite best efforts, the team endures heartache and an emotional goodbye. But emotion and challenges only push staff to work harder to save patients and reduce Covid-19 spread, celebrating the small wins in the process.

EPISODE 1.3

Mitigation

Despite improved treatment and knowledge of the virus, the incoming... More winter wave overwhelms Abbey and staff. The life of Ellie, a patient with multiple sclerosis and Covid-19, hangs in the balance when ventilators are desperately scarce. The Christmas aftermath comes on hard, especially for Emma, now a junior doctor, struggling under immense pressure. Covid deniers surface, causing staff morale to plummet. Patients are denied emergency operations due to lack of ITU beds leading to a moving emotional finale as Abbey makes a final stand and the team are given a chance to come together through their trauma..

Breathtaking: Season 1 | Details

Genre
Drama, True Story & Biography
Country of origin
UK