We’re delighted that Kerry Hudson’s HANNAH premiered last night on BBC Four, as part of SKINT, a series of seven 15-minute monologues tackling the subject of poverty in the UK. HANNAH, which stars Emma Fryer, tells the story of a mother who is trying to do the best for her child whilst facing homelessness.
Each monologue is written and directed by those who have personally experienced poverty, like Kerry. As Kerry told The Big Issue, “It’s highly unusual to come from a background like I did – one of extreme poverty – and get to write about your own experiences… I draw on my own frequent experiences of homelessness as a child and young adult having spent many years shuttling between slum rentals, homeless B&Bs and damp, unsafe council flats. At the same time, I had just become a mother when this was commissioned and I finally understood the utter heartbreak, the fierceness with which you will always want to care for and shelter your child. This monologue is both the past and current parts of myself”.
The series was overseen by Lisa McGee (the creator of Derry Girls) and actor and filmmaker, Peter Mullan, and is already receiving rave reviews.
Watch HANNAH as part of SKINT on BBC iPlayer here
Reviews for SKINT
‘A vivid, unflinching examination of modern poverty…’ - The Guardian
‘Richly rewarding monologues about poverty…’ - The Times
‘The format is so direct, so intense, almost daring viewers to look away – and by holding our gaze, the speakers challenge us to confront the causes of poverty.’ - The Big Issue
About Kerry Hudson
Kerry Hudson was born in Aberdeen. Growing up in a succession of council estates, B&Bs and caravan parks provided her with a keen eye for idiosyncratic behaviour, material for life, and a love of travel.
Her first novel, TONY HOGAN BOUGHT ME AN ICE-CREAM FLOAT BEFORE HE STOLE MY MA (Chatto & Windus), was published in July 2012 and was shortlisted for eight literary prizes, including the Guardian First Book Award and Green Carnation Prize, and won Scottish First Book of the Year. Kerry's second novel, THIRST, was developed with support from the National Lottery through an Arts Council England grant, and published by Chatto in July 2014 before being shortlisted for the Green Carnation Prize. Her first work of non-fiction, LOWBORN (2019) became a Times bestseller and was hailed as ‘One of the most important books of the year’ by the Guardian’.