Note: This article talks about topics including stillbirth and baby loss.
The Girl Before spoilers also follow.
The Girl Before, the latest BBC psychological thriller isn't just tough to watch because of the genre, but also because of the subject matter.
The four-part series discusses stillbirth and baby loss, which isn't something that is tackled very often in television. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who stars in the series, said they have done a lot of research and notes that everyone was "sensitive" to the fact "that there are issues in the show that are delicate and real".
"We had wonderful consultants at Sands, the organisation that deals with that," she told Digital Spy exclusively. "I was very fortunate to speak to a bereavement midwife about her experiences.
"I spoke to somebody who has also experienced a stillbirth – a friend of mine who was very generous in sharing their personal experiences. Obviously, there's lots to read on the Sands website and information about how different people go through such life-changing grief."
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The thriller, which is based on JP Delaney's best-selling 2017 novel of the same name, sees a woman called Jane (Loki star Mbatha-Raw) move into a stunning, high-tech home designed by an enigmatic architect, Edward (David Oyelowo), in exchange for abiding by a very specific list of tenancy rules.
Mbatha-Raw explained that her character goes on a bit of a journey throughout the series, starting in a "state of loss and grief".
"So I think everyone was very sensitive to the fact that there are issues in the show that are delicate and real. It's a psychological thriller. It is based on a novel, but there are some real issues that also anchor the journey that we're on," she continued.
Related: Loki star explains why she chose David Oyelowo for The Girl Before
"I hope that Jane's journey is going from a woman who is very much in a state of loss and grief, and she goes through this healing process, almost through her journey of getting her power back, and being able to use the house almost as a place to sort of have a sanctuary."
The actress adds that despite the tough subject matter, she says it is "shown in a way that is hopeful" and that the show has been respectful of the fact it is a very hard topic for some to face on television.
"I think, hopefully, there's a sense of catharsis at the end of it," she added. "Although these issues are delicate, in storytelling it's often a safe way to be able to show a hopeful way through… and in a hopefully entertaining way, that we are respectful to these issues – but they are also shown in a way that is hopeful."
The series hails from director Lisa Brühlman, who previously worked on Killing Eve, and original author JP Delaney is also co-writing the screenplay alongside Marissa Lestrade (Deep State, Casualty).
The Girl Before premieres on BBC One on Sunday, December 19 at 9pm, and will stream on HBO Max in the US.
Sands supports anyone affected by the death of a baby. You can contact the Sands National Helpline on 0808 164 3332, or email helpline@sands.org.uk.
Tasha is a freelance writer for with a particular interest in the representation of women in film and TV. After graduating with a Literature degree then journalism qualifications with News Associates a few years further back than she’d like to admit, Tasha began her freelance career. She’s worked as a writer, editor and commissioning editor for a number of publications including Digital Spy. She is also a theatre critic. LinkedIn
After teaching in England and South Korea, David turned to writing in Germany, where he covered everything from superhero movies to the Berlin Film Festival.
In 2019, David moved to London to join Digital Spy, where he could indulge his love of comics, horror and LGBTQ+ storytelling as Deputy TV Editor, and later, as Acting TV Editor.
David has spoken on numerous LGBTQ+ panels to discuss queer representation and in 2020, he created the Rainbow Crew interview series, which celebrates LGBTQ+ talent on both sides of the camera via video content and longform reads.
Beyond that, David has interviewed all your faves, including Henry Cavill, Pedro Pascal, Olivia Colman, Patrick Stewart, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Dornan, Regina King, and more — not to mention countless Drag Race legends.
As a freelance entertainment journalist, David has bylines across a range of publications including Empire Online, Radio Times, INTO, Highsnobiety, Den of Geek, The Digital Fix and Sight & Sound.
