*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Beth.*
When it comes to discussing anything related to Beth, I don’t hesitate to let writer and director Uzo Oleh know that I’ve been deep in a research rabbit hole for the last few days.
Channel 4’s initial digital-exclusive drama makes its debut on YouTube, available in three compact episodes. At its essence, this production revolves around family themes; however, as Oleh explains, it concludes with a powerful, unexpected twist that may leave numerous viewers stunned.
Of course, given its nature as a science fiction drama, this show delves deep into reality and human feelings. It’s likely to inspire viewers to embark on their own online journeys, seeking explanations, uncovering (possibly unfamiliar) scientific terminology, and encountering intriguing scientific concepts.
For Oleh, it’s been an exhilarating journey as he’s finally bringing his two-year old ideas to life, moving from conceptualization to the release stage. Curiosity piqued about the public’s reaction, there’s a strong likelihood that this project will become one of those captivating pieces that viewers can’t resist revisiting, eagerly searching for hidden nuances and details they might have overlooked on their initial viewing.
In reality, Beth is not just a single 35-minute episode on Channel 4; instead, it’s a collection of shorts, showcasing the incredible range of storytelling that can be achieved in this creative format. “I appreciate a short because of what it makes you do,” Oleh shares with me.
Further along, he discusses “Edicius,” another brief production he authored and helmed, in which Michael Socha gave another powerful portrayal of a lawyer, experiencing intuitive visits.
In his own words, “I aimed to create a gripping psychological thriller, complete with action sequences and daring stunts, within approximately 22 minutes,” Oleh explains. “Short films, in my opinion, compel you to be concise and make use of symbolism and underlying meanings to convey a message effectively and maintain the story’s pace. As I was writing Beth, I had already decided that it would consist of three distinct parts.
In essence, Oleh explains that Beth is an integral part of a larger narrative called “Echo.” However, it’s worth noting that her focus within this story primarily revolves around Nicholas Pinnock’s character, Joe. From the father’s viewpoint, she portrays what transpires with Molly, played by Abbey Lee.
From Oleh’s explanation, looking at the story through Joe’s eyes echoes the timeless biblical narrative of Joseph and Mary. This well-known classic, when viewed in today’s context, raises numerous questions. At its heart, similar to Beth, is a story about a woman who experiences an extraordinary pregnancy, giving birth to a child with no resemblance to the father.
In simpler terms, “Oleh explains that if her husband is struggling to accept the concept of a virgin birth, it’s because he has a lot of ego, typical male issues, and human instincts like jealousy and possession.” The story of Beth focuses on Lee’s character, Molly, but we’re getting a different perspective by exploring the confusion Joe feels about this situation.
Following years of attempting pregnancy through IVF, the couple finally achieve their long-cherished dream as Molly learns she’s carrying a child. The happiness is tangible, life is fulfilling. However, that idyllic moment turns sour on a particular day at the hospital when Molly – with her golden hair and blue eyes – holds Imogen, a baby who bears an uncanny resemblance to herself.
In a conversation, Oleh mentioned that despite the stark visual difference between Imogen, who is white, and her Black father Joe, he emphasized that Beth, without any political motive, values our shared humanity over differences. He stressed that the bonds uniting us are more significant than those dividing us, adding that he was mindful to keep the focus on family, which is incredibly important.
At first, everyone, including Joe, suspects that Molly might have been unfaithful. However, as it turns out, this isn’t about infidelity at all. Instead, it’s a fascinating phenomenon known as parthenogenesis, which is quite normal among certain animal species.
In my curiosity, I’ve often wondered about the fascinating phenomenon of asexual reproduction, where a new life form emerges from an egg without the need for fertilization. This remarkable process is observed in various organisms such as certain algae, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, to mention a few. However, what sparked my imagination was how to transform this scientific concept into a compelling human narrative?
As a fan, I’d put it this way: “For quite some time, I was a dedicated photographer, but before that, I was an optician – which often sparks laughter among folks. You see, my youth was spent delving into science, and then I transitioned to the realm of art. I find these two worlds surprisingly complementary.
Originally, I used to gather issues of both Numéro magazine and Paris Vogue. However, I also accumulated Monocle and Scientific American. Of all the magazines, I amassed the most copies of Scientific American. One topic that left me baffled in that periodical was parthenogenesis. I recall thinking, “This can’t be true. What is this concept you’re discussing?” To my surprise, it’s a reproductive method used by many animals, with the exception of mammals. This discovery led me to wonder, “Why isn’t this topic more widely discussed?
After contemplating, one might wonder how this scenario could unfold within a human context: What kind of narrative would emerge? How would one feel? What level of surprise would be experienced? For it’s not just possible but entirely realistic in our world. It’s as natural as can be, and the deeper you delve, the more sense it makes due to the primal instinct of survival. Everything is geared towards survival.
Then, I ponder, ‘Which is the most engaging approach to narrate this tale?’ You see, there are numerous perspectives from which to view it.
I delve into the intricate narrative of Echo, where various perspectives unfold. There’s my understanding of the daughter who yearns for independence from her mother, the mother figure, whose natural instinct is to nurture and shield, the complex angle of a husband grappling with jealousy, and lastly, the religious dimensions that stem from such a tale.
According to Oleh, there’s another perspective on religious fundamentalism that could result in divisions and persecution. However, this situation is complicated by the scientific community and the possibility of deception from Dr. Balthas, who has been assisting Molly up until now.
In a similar vein to the suspenseful atmosphere of Black Mirror’s “The Entire History of You” episode, where the audience, much like character Liam, becomes uncertain about Ffion (played by Jodie Whittaker), and questions her loyalty due to her cryptic behavior, Echo seems to be subtly evoking a similar sense of distrust in its narrative.
According to Oleh, the most appealing form of sci-fi for him is something that seems somewhat realistic. He becomes particularly enthused when writing about ideas that he feels could potentially occur. If it was just slightly off, like a few degrees or percentages different, it wouldn’t capture his interest as much.
Beth effectively modernizes traditional stories by grounding them in the real world, noticeably incorporating elements of various religions seamlessly.
Alongside character names being connected to sacred texts (e.g., Joe – Joseph, Gabby – angel Gabriel, Dr Balthas – Balthazar, the wise man, Imogen, which seems to be Welsh for ‘innocent child’, Molly as a pet name in Hebrew for Mary), there was one name that left me puzzled after viewing: Who exactly is Beth?
As Oleh humorously lets me take a stab at figuring it out, he clarifies that “Beth” is actually a shortened version of “Bethlehem.
As I delve deeper into the study of the Bible, I’m finding a wealth of ‘ah-ha!’ moments if you keep your eyes open. There might be some intriguing time symbolism linking to specific biblical passages, adding another layer to the topic we’re exploring.
I wonder if infusing religion into films and television has always been your intention, Oleh. To this, he replies, “Not necessarily.” Instead, he feels that when one studies the Bible or the Quran, a sense of awe arises within them.
It seems that from watching a typical Hollywood film to reading religious texts, we observe a common pattern in storytelling, often referred to as “Save the Cat” in movies, but there are also other types of narrative structures. This pattern can be seen consistently across various narratives.
By examining human experiences through storytelling, what insights might we gain? This simple narrative encompasses fundamental emotions – such as deception, faith, disclosure, dread, anticipation, elation.
He comments: “Your emotions transition from joy to sorrow, yet they seem identical. Strangely, I believe all the tales I’m sharing possess traditional storytelling characteristics. However, I think this is because they are the finest stories; we merely strive to present them in a unique manner. In my opinion, the classics are unsurpassable.
In my conversation with Oleh, I shared that Beth’s show is likely to generate quite a buzz. He expressed his optimism, stating that he hopes viewers will find more than just an engaging narrative; they should also appreciate the unique way the story is told. Essentially, he wants people to genuinely like and enjoy it, while those who may not be interested can simply consider it not their type of program.
Looking ahead, Oleh implies that Beth serves as a sort of precursor to Echo, suggesting there’s still much story left to tell. Is it hoped to further develop this narrative for a TV series? “Indeed, that’s the intention. I’ve already penned quite a bit. So, in essence, those characters are set to take flight,” Oleh says with a smile.
As a film enthusiast, I must say that the subtle glimpses of Molly’s humor, her tenacity, and her spirited nature truly enrich the series. Joe, on the other hand, embodies an unwavering stoicism, depth, richness, and passion that never fails to captivate. Imogen’s character is extraordinary because she’s not just any child; she’s unique, much like Molly who has always been aware of her own uniqueness.
However, it doesn’t stop there with the writer/director. At present, they are also crafting a feature film that promises to be even more outrageous than Beth. The narrative of Oleh’s new project revolves around his idea that “true love and passion hold the same essence as revenge”.
He shares that the narrative will aim to make you feel a complex emotional response – loving one character while hating another simultaneously. The goal is to provoke a strong negative reaction towards someone, only to then evoke sympathy and compassion, pleading with the audience to help this character.
Currently, what remains for Oleh is to relax and observe the response to Beth, yet there’s no denying the immense effort everyone has put into this project. Additionally, the amazing fortune of securing Pinnock and Lee as main actors brings immense joy, while Oleh describes the process of creating Beth as “surprisingly easy”.
When there was mutual trust and belief among everyone, they all stepped up to contribute and experiment… We’ve truly created something genuinely stunning.
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2025-06-09 21:05