Channel 4 Announces Fresh Slate Of Documentaries

Channel 4 has announced a brand new slate of documentaries, ranging from exclusive access behind the walls of Durham Prison to a behind the scenes look at Alton Towers.

'Prisons', set in Durham Prison, takes a multi-faceted look at the prison system during a period of significant challenge and reform, focusing on the day-to-day lives of prisoners and staff. Durham Prison is one of the oldest and busiest prisons in the UK. New prisoners arrive daily with complex medical, emotional and health needs, all of which need to be assessed and catered for. With every cell and every bed occupied, every day prison officers are fighting a war against drugs and smuggled mobile phones.

The Spring Films series is produced and directed by Paddy Wivell ('Extremely British Muslims', 'The Tribe and Bedlam').

'The Foreign Doctors are Coming' is a one hour documentary that follows the stories of four doctors from India, Brazil, and Egypt as they take the series of exams required to prove they are up to the NHS standard. Filmed over 11 months, the film follows the foreign doctors as they prepare for the all-important exam – their passport to a medical career in Britain. The prospect of living and working in the UK could transform their lives, but taking the exam comes at a risk. Many are spending thousands on travel, accommodation, the course and test, and are leaving family behind. With the stakes so high, the doctors are under extreme pressure to succeed.

The Foreign Doctors are Coming is a Blakeway North production that is directed and produced by Andrew Dedman.

'Carry on Brussels' is a three-part series set in the Brussels bubble that follows an eclectic group of MEPs from across the political spectrum, as they buckle up for the ride of their lives on the Brexit roller coaster. Focusing on the personal over the political, the series offers unrivalled access to the inner workings of the European Parliament at one of the most historically significant times of its existence. Filmed over a year, the series charts the battles and the brawls, the tears, tantrums and tactics of some of Britain's most maligned and misunderstood public servants in these most turbulent of times.

This October Films and Trumble Films production is produced and directed by Christian Trumble.

An untitled Alton Towers documentary has also been announced, which will go behind-the-scenes as they prepare to launch their multi-million pound new rollercoaster, Wickerman. It is the first wooden rollercoaster in 21 years, with a structure that appears to set on fire, and also happens to be Alton Towers' first new ride since The Smiler accident in 2015. The documentary will follow the team at Alton Towers as they work to get Wickerman ready for the big launch.

It is a Films of the Record production, commissioned by Charlotte Desai, and is produced and directed by Michael Ogden.

'A Very British Country House' is the final announced Channel 4 documentary, and it will follow the day-to-day life of both the front of house and behind the scenes of Cliveden House, a Grade 1 listed luxurious hotel set in 376 acres of National Trust grounds in the heart of the Berkshire countryside. It will feature the staff whose job it is to bring five-star service to Cliveden's national and international clientele, and will feature some of the hotels most glamorous events of the year.

A Very British Country House is a 3 x 60 minute Oxford Scientific Films production, and is directed by Natalie Walter ('24 hours in Custody').