Run (British TV series)

Run
Region 2 DVD cover
GenreDrama
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producer
Producer
Production locationLondon
Running time42 minutes
Production companyAcme Films
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release15 July (2013-07-15) –
18 July 2013 (2013-07-18)

Run is a British drama serial created by Jonathan Pearson, Marlon Smith, and Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan, and written by Marlon Smith and Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan for Channel 4.[1][2] The series premiered on 15 July 2013 and ended on 18 July 2013, and was broadcast on Hulu on 20 August 2013.[3] The series comprises four episodes, each focused on one character among the four leads - Carol (Olivia Colman), Ying (Katie Leung), Richard (Lennie James) and Kasia (Katharina Schüttler) - and shows how each character's decisions affect that character and the others.[4][5]

Plot

The series reveals the interconnectedness of apparently separate lives, through the stories of four people faced with choices in a world where survival is never a given.

Cast

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK Viewers (in millions)
final ratings are sourced from BARB[6]
1"Carol"Charles MartinDaniel Fajemisin-Duncan, Marlon Smith15 July 2013 (2013-07-15)1.99
Carol is a tough single mother striving to keep her family together. When her teenage sons commit an act of random violence that ends in a stranger's death, Carol faces the impossible choice of protecting her children or doing the right thing.[7]
2"Ying"Charles MartinDaniel Fajemisin-Duncan, Marlon Smith16 July 2013 (2013-07-16)1.71
Ying is an illegal immigrant from the Fujian province of China, who sells unlicensed DVDs and stolen mobile phones at barbershops, cafés, and pubs around Brixton.[7]
3"Richard"Jonathan PearsonDaniel Fajemisin-Duncan, Marlon Smith17 July 2013 (2013-07-17)1.39
Richard is a recovering heroin addict who spends every day struggling to stay clean. Only one thing spurs him on: the possibility of re-establishing contact with his teenage daughter.[7]
4"Katrina"Jonathan PearsonDaniel Fajemisin-Duncan, Marlon Smith18 July 2013 (2013-07-18)1.11
Kasia is a young Polish woman who originally came to London filled with hope. Years later, she is still working as a cleaner, struggling to make ends meet, and contending with a gambling-addicted boyfriend.[7]

DVD releases

Name Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 Discs
Series One — 22 July 2013 — 2

Reception

The Express has praised Run, calling it "inventive" and citing Jaime Winstone as a highlight.[8] The Scotsman was slightly more mixed in their review, commenting that: "This gritty, grim drama will win awards but, perhaps, be too hard-going for many."[9]

References

  1. ^ Eames, Tom (11 July 2012). "Jaime Winstone, Lennie James join Channel 4 drama 'Run'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  2. ^ Bolger, Keeley. "Olivia Colman and Jaime Winstone talk Run". BT.com. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  3. ^ Surette, Tim. "Hulu Announces Three New Original Series, Including an Animated Witness Protection Sitcom, and Puts Dates on Several More". TV.com. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  4. ^ Leppard, Brett. "TV Pick: Run". GQ. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  5. ^ Tate, Gabriel. "From market to mural: touring Brixton with the creators of 'Run'". Time Out. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  6. ^ "BARB Top 30s". Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d "Run – Episode guide". Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  8. ^ Nutkins, Kirstie (12 July 2013). "See Jaime Run". Express. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  9. ^ Mullaney, Andrea (13 July 2013). "The Week's TV : Law Unto Herself". The Scotsman (subscription required). Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2014.