Viewers of Channel 4’s I Am Ruth have been left “floored” after watching the “gut wrenching” new drama, which focuses on the mental health of young people in the digital age. The two-hour programme sees Kate Winslet, 47, star as Ruth, a concerned mother who witnesses her teenage daughter retreating into herself as she becomes consumed by the pressures of social media.
The struggling teen is played by Winslet’s 22-year-old daughter Mia Threapleton. I Am Ruth is the latest semi-improvised instalment of the Bafta-nominated and female-led drama anthology series I Am, created by filmmaker Dominic Savage.
Winslet developed and co-authored the storyline with Savage after they both shared stories about parenting their own teenagers. The Oscar-winning actress has said it was “hard and very upsetting” creating the programme alongside her daughter but that it was “wonderful” working with her.
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Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine last week, she said: “It was really amazing working alongside her and actually being blown away by her courage and she’s very, very powerful. I think this young generation of actors, actually I have to say, there’s a sort of naturalism to their acting and they’re just braver.
“They have a voice, they speak up for themselves and they have a power that I feel I never really had. So, it was really hard and very upsetting, but it was wonderful working with her.”
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Following its broadcast on Thursday (December 8), fans took to social media to share their overwhelmingly positive reactions to the programme, with many praising the performances of the real-life mother and daughter and citing it as “essential viewing.” On Twitter, @LironD said: “Wow wow wow. I am floored. This was gut-wrenching.
“Kate has been phenomenal since her film debut almost 30 years ago and yet she’s still able to dig into new territories as an actress and give such a raw, mostly improvised, soul bearing performance. Incredible.”
@deebeeheych said: “There are no superlatives that can do justice to this INCREDIBLE drama. The acting is utterly raw & believable.
“If you care about our kids in today’s society you MUST watch this! Frighteningly true to life.”
@nickaylward added: “I think I Am Ruth may well [be] one of the most essential pieces of viewing, for anyone, this year. Raw, emotional and heartbreaking television.”
“Absolutely nailing that painful and (almost) impossible part of parenting – loved it – congratulations to everyone involved in this,” @Andrea717171 said. “Kate Winslet is a genius actor – and she has passed this on to her daughter.”
I Am Ruth is available to stream on demand on All 4.
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