Entertainment

Channel 4 Sets Premiere Dates for I Am Helen, Featuring Nicola Coughlan and Joe Cole

By Morgan Cormack

Channel 4 has announced that the next instalment of Dominic Savage’s I Am anthology, I Am Helen, will air later this month. The two‑part drama will premiere on Channel 4 at 9 pm on Monday 16 November, with the second episode following at 9:15 pm on Tuesday 17 November. Both episodes will be available to stream on Channel 4 after the first has aired.

Nicola Coughlan, known for her role as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, stars as Helen, while Joe Cole, who played John Shelby in Peaky Blinders, portrays her boyfriend Steve. The series follows the couple after five years together as they face a rough patch worsened by toxic behaviour. Produced by Me+You Productions, the drama aims to "explore the experience of womanhood in a world shaped by masculine power, aggression and control" and is told from a female perspective.

The I Am anthology began in 2019 and has become known for its improvisational approach to women’s lives, relationships and identities. Previous instalments include I Am Nicola, I Am Kirsty, I Am Hannah, I Am Victoria, I Am Danielle and I Am Maria. The upcoming episode will continue this tradition of powerful, single‑character studies developed collaboratively with their leads.

Channel 4 has released first‑look images that hint at the tension between Helen and Steve, and a trailer shows Helen attempting to repair their relationship while Steve’s aggression escalates.

I Am Helen will be available on Channel 4 and can be added to a watchlist via the Radio Times app. The series is part of Channel 4’s BAFTA‑winning I Am anthology, which has previously featured actors such as Vicky McClure, Samantha Morton, Gemma Chan, Suranne Jones, Letitia Wright and Lesley Manville. Kate Winslet won a BAFTA for her performance in the 2022 special I Am Ruth, which co‑starred her daughter Mia Threapleton.