Nicola Coughlan headlines Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning “I Am” anthology in new two-part “I Am Helen,” co-starring Joe Cole.
Channel 4 has officially greenlit a fourth season of its award‑winning anthology drama I Am, this time under the banner “I Am Helen”, with breakout star Nicola Coughlan (“Derry Girls,” “Bridgerton,” “Big Mood”) taking center stage.
Across two intimate episodes, Coughlan will portray Helen, a woman navigating unexpected challenges that test her resilience, alongside Joe Cole (“Gangs of London,” “A Small Light”), who co‑stars as a key figure in her journey.
Since its debut in August 2019, I Am has carved out a special place in British television, becoming Channel 4’s most successful new 10 pm drama in six years. Created, written, produced, and directed by BAFTA‑winner Dominic Savage, each installment has focused on a different woman’s story—often developed in close collaboration with the actress at the helm.
Past chapters have featured powerhouse performances from Vicky McClure (“I Am Nicola”), Gemma Chan (“I Am Hannah”), Suranne Jones (“I Am Victoria”) and Letitia Wright (“I Am Danielle”), with Kate Winslet’s “I Am Ruth” scooping two BAFTA awards in 2023.
Coughlan—whose career has blossomed from her breakthrough in Derry Girls to global fame in Netflix’s Bridgerton—said she was “truly humbled” to join the I Am family.
“Dominic Savage is a singular talent, and working alongside him to explore the breadth of the female experience feels surreal,” she shared. “I can’t wait for audiences to meet Helen and to hear their thoughts on her story.”
Executives at Me+You Productions, the Emmy‑winning company behind the series, praised the collaboration. “To continue our creative relationship with Dominic and to welcome Nicola—one of her generation’s standout performers—is a genuine privilege,” said producers Krishnendu Majumdar and Richard Yee.
“Channel 4’s ongoing support allows us to tell these raw, provocative stories in a way that resonates deeply.”
Commissioning editor Gemma Boswell added, “The I Am series offers a powerful, timely portrait of our times. We’re thrilled that Dominic and Nicola are leading this next chapter.”
Co‑funded by Sky Studios and distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, “I Am Helen” is slated to air on Channel 4 later this year.
Source: Variety
