Channel 4’s new drama series, The Gathering, explores the challenges faced by a group of teenagers as they navigate the uncharted terrain of sex, school, and social media. The Liverpool-based show, produced by the team behind hit series Line of Duty and Bodyguard, also examines the world of toxic parenting in the age of smartphones.
The internet has opened up a plethora of problems for teenagers, from cyberbullying to leaked nudes, but the complex dynamic between parents and children has yet to be fully explored on-screen. The show’s creator, Helen Walsh, explains that The Gathering delves into the rise of surveillance parenting, a new phenomenon in which parents monitor their children’s lives and activities online.
However, the series also spotlights the strategies of resistance that many adolescents use to outsmart their parents. Walsh notes that teenagers require autonomy and self-determination, along with a fun and carefree attitude, but with the increasing prevalence of surveillance parenting and other physical restraints, young people are feeling increasingly policed.
The series, which begins with a violent attack, features the character of Kelly, a gymnast who is part of a free-running gang and frequently attempts dangerous stunts. The show explores the effects of social media on teenagers and presents a well-rounded, believable portrait of modern-day young people.
On a deeper level, The Gathering examines the troubling aspects of parents imposing their agendas and problems on their children. The show’s characters reflect the fact that, despite their best intentions, parents can never truly predict how their decisions will affect the lives of their children.
As a distinctive new offering from Channel 4, The Gathering is poised to catch fire with audiences. Featuring a talented cast and crew, including Boiling Point star Vinette Robinson and newcomer Eva Morgan, the show is set in Liverpool and filmed in the city and the Wirral. The series is a fresh exploration of the many issues raised by smartphone culture, toxic parenting, and the world of modern-day teenagers
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