August 20th 2024.
Next up, Sherwood writer James Graham reflects on a powerful moment from the first season of the hit BBC thriller. It was a moment that foreshadowed some of the biggest strikes in the history of the UK and it left a lasting impact on both the characters and the audience.
It was June 2022 when the series, starring David Morrissey, premiered and brought the 1980s Nottingham miners' strike back into the spotlight. The show delved into the aftermath of the traumatic event and the ongoing tensions between the community and the police, which were reignited by a series of murders.
At the time, Graham was inspired to tell a story about the lasting effects of the strike and the divisions that still exist in communities today. Little did he know that his story would mirror modern history in such a striking way.
Just as the show premiered, the RMT staff voted to strike over pay, jobs, and working conditions, causing the biggest strike the country had ever seen. This industrial action threatened to bring the entire country to a standstill and only served to increase tensions between transport staff and the government, a tension that still exists today.
As the second season of Sherwood approaches, Graham reflects on the connection between his drama and recent events. In a recent interview, he remarks on the similarities between the 1980s miners' strikes and the RMT strikes in 2022.
One particular scene in the show foreshadowed the RMT strikes in a chilling way. In the scene, Lindsay Duncan, playing a National Union of Mineworkers lawyer and activist, says: "God, we're an old country. So much past, which means unfortunately quite a lot of mistakes. But it's not the getting things wrong that's the problem, it's this sweeping under the carpet of it all, and refusing to just bloody look at it and learn from it."
This monologue not only foreshadows the RMT strikes, but it also highlights the ongoing issues within the country's institutions. Graham goes on to discuss the release of the Thatcher government's Cabinet papers under the 30-year rule, which shed light on the government's motives during the 1980s miners' strike. He points out how the government deliberately provoked the strike in order to achieve their political goals.
Graham also touches on the divide between the police and communities, a theme that is explored in the show and continues to be relevant today. He notes the breakdown in people's faith in the institution, especially in light of recent events like the Sarah Everard case and the Black Lives Matter protests.
As the new season of Sherwood airs, it will continue to focus on the divide between the police and communities, a divide that has existed for decades. Graham hopes to shed light on this toxic relationship and spark conversations about a healthier version of the social contract between the two.
But he also acknowledges that this issue is not solely the fault of individual officers, but rather a systemic problem within the police force. He hopes that by exploring these issues in the show, it will encourage people to take a closer look at the structure of the institution and work towards finding solutions.
The second season of Sherwood premieres on Sunday, August 25th, and will air new episodes on Sunday and Monday nights for three weeks. As the show continues to tackle important social issues, it serves as a reminder of the impact of past events on our present and the importance of addressing them in order to create a better future.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
