Topics: Crime, True Crime, Channel 4, Documentaries, Baby Reindeer, TV And Film
Warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse which some readers may find distressing.
From the very day it landed on Netflix earlier this year, psychological thriller Baby Reindeer has kept viewers talking.
The hugely popular series dropped on the streaming service back in April and told the harrowing story of comedian Richard Gadd, who was stalked relentlessly for a number of years by a woman named 'Martha'.
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As well as the stellar acting and harrowing storyline, fans of the show were left further blown away to discover not only that Richard is a real life comic - who played himself in the series - but that the hit show is allegedly based on a chilling true story.
Viewers were quick to heap praise onto the show for its vivid portrayal of such a sensitive topic, and this week, another show is being praised for its handling of similarly harrowing subject matter.
Airing on Channel 4 last night (28 May) was a bold and heartbreaking documentary titled My Sexual Abuse: The Sitcom, which follows writer and comedian Mark O’Sullivan's hopes to create and direct a sitcom all about the sexual abuse he survived during his childhood.
The obscure and devastating documentary details the court case that led to the conviction of the man who abused him, explores why Mark has embarked on this emotional journey, and shows behind-the-scenes glimpses of the casting and filming of his comedy show.
By conducting interviews with those who knew him as a child - including his late parents' friends - and those who met him as an adult, the show sees Mark delve headfirst into his past while weighing up the role of humour in dealing with trauma.
On top of this, the factual programme has been paired with the actual sitcom itself, which simultaneously landed on All4 last night and stars the likes of Cariad Lloyd, Rufus Jones, Ellie Taylor and Sam Underwood.
And apparently, both the documentary and subsequent sitcom have hugely resonated with viewers, many of whom have commended both writer Mark and Channel 4 producers for shedding light on a troubling subject in such an innovative way.
Tagging Mark on Twitter last night, one penned: "I saw your documentary just now and I think what you’ve done is incredibly powerful and courageous. And I hope expressing this way helps you. To have the talent to express devastating feelings like this creatively is amazing & hopefully brings a kind of closure."
Another gushed: "My Sexual Abuse: The Sitcom on @Channel4 is a f*****g triumph. Congratulations, @immarkosullivan"
"Was going to bed but got drawn into watching My Sexual Abuse: The Sitcom on channel 4. It’s completely fascinating and moving and yes funny," added a third.
A fourth continued: "I found this such a profound approach to such a horrendous subject. It’s unbearable to think it happens but of course it does, to the most normal of families. I hope this show helps anyone affected by abuse. @immarkosullivan deserves to have that legacy. #MySexualAbuseTheSitcom"
