Modern fatherhood to be tested in C4 survival series
Channel 4 has commissioned a new documentary series that will put modern fathers’ parenting to the test in wilderness survival situations.
In Kings of the Jungle (w/t) from Twenty Twenty Television, explorer and former British Army captain Ed Stafford sets up an extreme wilderness camp in Costa Rica, to put the dads and their kids through some demanding outdoor challenges.
Stafford maintains that modern British fatherhood is in trouble, that the men are too soft, comfortable and risk-averse. His view of a dad’s role is to test, challenge and push their offspring, to ‘strengthen’ the children.
Stafford posited: “Increasingly the odds are stacked against you as a parent. You find yourself having to swim against the tide to simply do what’s best for your kids.
"For me connection is everything; this isn’t about parenting techniques - that stuff is instinctive - rather this is an extreme fast-track to a deeper connection between dads and their children in a modern world where that is more tenuous and harder to achieve than ever."
James O’Reilly, Twenty Twenty creative director added: “We all know Ed as a legend of survival and adventure, but he’s also a father who is incredibly passionate and thoughtful about his role in his kids’ lives. We’re thrilled to be working with him and Channel 4 on this new format which promises to be a transformative experience for ordinary dads in Britain. We can’t wait to bring it to the screen.”
The commissioning editors are Anna Miralis and Madonna Benjamin.
Image via C4 press office.
Also on The Knowledge
Exclusive: Major new FX drama to film in the UK
Say Nothing, a major new adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe’s book about a notorious murder during the height of the Northern Ireland troubles, is gearing up for a lengthy UK shoot.
Domino Day goes into production for BBC Three
A shiny new drama for BBC Three, Domino Day, begins filming in Manchester this week (w/c 20 March) from Dancing Ledge Productions.
Focus on filming in Wales
Wales has become one of the UK’s most film-friendly production hubs in recent years, aided by prolific companies such as Bad Wolf setting up shop, and big-budget projects like Disney+’s new iteration of Willow showcasing Welsh locations.
Production gets underway on Hullraisers Series 2
Filming is underway on location in Hull and Leeds on the second series of C4’s Hullraisers, adapted for the UK by Lucy Beaumont from the Israeli hit show Little Mom.
Location One opens at Longcross and Bridgend
Facilities by ADF has announced that Location One, which the former acquired in December, has opened branches at the group’s new operational base at Longcross and Bridgend.
The Killing Kind films at Bottle Yard, Bristol and London
The latest original UK drama commission for Paramount+’s burgeoning slate, The Killing Kind, has begun filming at the Bottle Yard Studios and on location in Bristol with the assistance of the Bristol Film Office. Filming will later move to London.
