Renowned Scottish social commentator, author, and rapper Darren McGarvey is set to embark on his first UK-wide television series, titled “Mind the Gap.” This groundbreaking co-commission, in collaboration with BBC Scotland and BBC Factual, is slated for broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer, shedding light on some of the most pressing challenges facing modern Britain.
In “Mind the Gap,” McGarvey gains privileged access to the front lines of education, justice, and healthcare – the pillars of public service in the UK. These institutions, once the pride of the nation, are now grappling with significant challenges affecting millions of citizens daily. McGarvey’s mission is to investigate whether an ever-widening gap exists between the privileged and underprivileged, the wealthy and the less fortunate, and the public and private sectors.
Throughout the three-part series, McGarvey crisscrosses the United Kingdom, journeying through Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as making stops in Norway and Finland. His goal is to understand the root causes of the issues plaguing these essential public services. He immerses himself in the experiences of those at opposite ends of the social spectrum, gaining firsthand insight into the conflicts and challenges they face.
In each episode, McGarvey also seeks out individuals and initiatives working to bridge these gaps, effecting positive change within their respective fields. This commitment to showcasing the efforts of these game-changers adds depth to the series’ exploration of social inequality.
Darren McGarvey expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “With my previous series being based solely in Scotland, I’m really excited at taking on a UK-wide view of social inequality. While there are notable differences between the four nations in education, health, and justice, I believe the trends we see across the UK are similar enough to warrant a comprehensive deep dive. In Mind the Gap, we’ve gained privileged access to those working on the front line in some of the most challenging but also hugely rewarding areas of modern life.”
The series builds upon McGarvey’s previous successes with BBC Scotland, such as the BAFTA-winning “Darren McGarvey’s Addictions” and “Darren McGarvey’s Class Wars,” which garnered recognition at the RTS Scotland awards. David Harron, Commissioning Editor for BBC Scotland, praised McGarvey as “a huge and exciting talent,” highlighting the timeliness and importance of the series’ subject matter.
Tern TV, the production company behind the series, echoes this sentiment. Harry Bell, Managing Director at Tern TV, stated, “Tern’s strength is in marrying top talent with their passions, and Darren is the perfect fit to front this pivotal series. We feel this will be an important series, an important addition to the debate on our institutions, taking a fresh and fascinating perspective on some of the biggest issues of our times.”
“Darren McGarvey – Mind the Gap” was commissioned by David Harron for BBC Scotland and Aisling O’Connor, Commissioning Editor for BBC Factual. The series is directed by Jack Cocker, series produced by Emma Fentiman, and executive produced by Harry Bell for Tern at Zinc Media. Notably, the series is being produced in partnership with The Open University.
Audiences can anticipate the broadcast of “Darren McGarvey – Mind the Gap” early next year on the BBC Scotland channel and BBC Two, offering a comprehensive and illuminating exploration of the challenges and triumphs within Britain’s public services.
