‘TV industry would not exist without freelancers, yet it bullies us “lucky” ones into fearing about future work if we complain’

“Have chest pains. If I die, these are the stats: I have worked 16 days in a row and worked every waking minute for 18 hours of every day. Sue the fuck out of the BBC.”

These are the words I text to my partner, whil taking yet another deep breath, trying not to panic, attempting to remain focused on the job in hand – leading a large cast and crew shooting a new BBC series for a leading independent production company. The irony that my role as a senior member of the production team includes a drummed-in responsibility for the duty of care of cast and crew is not lost on me.