UKTV’s entertainment channel W has commissioned new doc series, Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars (5 x 60’).

In the series, Katie Piper immerses herself in the United States judicial system to follow the delivery and complicated processing of babies and children in some of the most talked about prisons in the US. Produced by Flicker Productions, Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars will air on W and UKTV Play in 2023.

Katie Piper OBE said, “I am thrilled to be working with the W Channel in 2023. I have always had a strong interest in real-life documentary formats and Piper Behind Bars is already proving to be a fascinating project. As a long-standing volunteer in UK women’s prisons, I’m intrigued by the varying treatment within the US system. I have no idea what to expect when I’m across the Atlantic, but that’s the magic of a documentary. I can’t wait to see how this project unfolds.” 

Over five compelling episodes Katie will join female prisoners who are not only negotiating a prison term but who are also parents and coming to terms with what that means for their children’s future. Each prison has a different approach to women managing pregnancy and parenthood. Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars explores the different ways women and their children are treated and how they cope with the heart-breaking prospect of having to give up their babies while they serve their time.

Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars has been commissioned by Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment and ordered for W by Adam Collings, channel director and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Executive producer for Flicker is Colleen Flynn with Kate South as series producer and Rosie Wilcox as director.

Adam Collings said, “With subject matter seldom seen it feels like a real moment for the channel. Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars is a captivating format and we’re excited to give W viewers the chance to see mother and baby care through a completely new lens. Katie is the perfect fit for the channel and we’re delighted to welcome her to W.”

Helen Nightingale said “I am delighted to be commissioning this exciting new series Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars for W and to welcome Katie into our roster of brilliant talent on the channel. I can’t think of anyone better than Katie, with her unique take on the subject matter, to take us into the world of the women and children living within the US justice system. It’s going to be a fascinating and emotional watch.

Colleen Flynn, Executive Producer said We are thrilled to be working with W and Katie on such an important series. The complexities of women within the criminal justice system is a subject that desperately needs to be explored further and with Katie at the helm we hope to ask a pivotal question about whether anyone should ever have to give birth behind bars”

Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars will air on UKTV’s free-to-air channel W next year and is the latest celebrity led series to be announced following Alex Jones: Making Babies which airs in January and the return of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over in February.   The series starts filming next month and will be also be available on UKTV Play.

 

Jon Creamer

Share this story

Share Televisual stories within your social media posts.
Be inclusive: Televisual.com is open access without the need to register.
Anyone and everyone can access this post with minimum fuss.