Thursday 26 January 2023 UKTVs free-to-air entertainment channel W has commissioned brand new UKTV original series, Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars (5 x 60). Broadcaster, author and philanthropist, Katie Piper immerses herself in the United States judicial system to follow the delivery and often complicated processing of babies and children in some of the most talked about prisons in the US. Produced by Flicker Productions, Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars will air on W and UKTV Play in 2023.Katie Piper, OBE said,
I am thrilled to be working with the W Channel in 2023. I have always had a strong interest in real-life documentary formats and Piper Behind Bars is already proving to be a fascinating project. As a long-standing volunteer in UK womens prisons, Im intrigued by the varying treatment within the US system. I have no idea what to expect when Im across the Atlantic, but thats the magic of a documentary. I cant wait to see how this project unfolds.
Over five compelling episodes Katie will join female prisoners who are not only negotiating a prison term but who are also parents and coming to terms with what that means for their childrens future. Each prison has a different approach to women managing pregnancy and parenthood. Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars explores the different ways women and their children are treated and how they cope with the heart-breaking prospect of having to give up their babies while they serve their time.
Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars has been commissioned by Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment and ordered for W by Adam Collings, channel director and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Executive producer for Flicker is Colleen Flynn with Kate South as series producer and Rosie Wilcox as director.
Adam Collings said,
With subject matter seldom seen it feels like a real moment for the channel. Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars is a captivating format and were excited to give W viewers the chance to see mother and baby care through a completely new lens. Katie is the perfect fit for the channel and were delighted to welcome her to W.
Helen Nightingale said
I am delighted to be commissioning this exciting new series Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars for W and to welcome Katie into our roster of brilliant talent on the channel. I cant think of anyone better than Katie, with her unique take on the subject matter, to take us into the world of the women and children living within the US justice system. Its going to be a fascinating and emotional watch.
Colleen Flynn, Executive Producer said
We are thrilled to be working with W and Katie on such an important series. The complexities of women within the criminal justice system is a subject that desperately needs to be explored further and with Katie at the helm we hope to ask a pivotal question about whether anyone should ever have to give birth behind bars
Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars will air on UKTVs free-to-air channel W this year and is the latest celebrity led series to be announced following Alex Jones: Making Babies which airs in January and the return of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over in February. The series starts filming next month and will be also be available on UKTV Play.
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For more information, please contact: Mel Lynch, Publicist, UKTV
About W
Freeview 25, Sky 132/827 (HD), Virgin 125/211 (HD), Freesat 156
W is a TV channel passionate about people and finding the joy in everyday moments. Its quality mix of UKTV Originals featuring heart-warming shows led by some of the UKs most-loved talent, and uplifting series shining a light on heroic emergency services, are complemented by high quality acquisitions.
W shows tap into the raw and genuine heart swell moments, from emotions running high at the sound of a babys first cry in the award-winning Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, to heart-stopping drama for the incredible frontline workers in Inside the Ambulance, Nurses on the Ward and 999 Rescue Squad. Elsewhere, award-winning documentary maker Stacey Dooley offers an unfiltered insight into unseen areas of modern relationships and family life in the hit series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, while Rochelle Hulmes helps deserving families transform their homes in Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making.
W is also the exclusive home to the joyfully competitive MasterChef franchise, including MasterChef Australia, MasterChef USA and MasterChef Juniors.
About UKTV Play
UKTV Play is an on demand TV service providing instant access to shows from UKTVs free-to-air channels - Dave, W, Yesterday and Drama.
With the easy-to-use UKTV Play app you can browse and stream hundreds of shows for free via your computer, tablet or smart phone. You can also watch on the telly thanks to Freeview Play, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, NOW and Roku.
If youre a Sky or Virgin Media customer, shows from other great UKTV channels - Gold, Alibi, and Eden - are also on the menu.
uktvplay.co.uk
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UKs most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the worlds leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
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