UKTV has commissioned a new documentary series fronted by journalist Stacey Dooley for its premium entertainment channel, W. Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over (6x60') is produced by Firecracker Films and will air in 2019.
Award-winning documentary maker Stacey Dooley MBE burst on to TV screens over a decade ago with Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts and has since gone on to be one of the UK's most celebrated journalists, earning an MBE for services to broadcasting. Stacey has also just received two nominations for the prestigious Grierson Awards for Stacey Dooley: Face to Face with Isis.
The documentary series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over will present a portrait of what life is like in Britain today for a cross section of society. The series follows Stacey as she spends 72-hours in the company of a wide range of extraordinary characters and families, with the kinds of relationships we've never seen up close before.
Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over is produced by Firecracker Films, commissioned for UKTV by Natalie Rose, commissioning executive, and ordered by Richard Watsham, director of commissioning and Steve North, genre general manager, comedy and entertainment.
Natalie Rose said: "We are so thrilled to be working with Stacey on this series. The idea that she will be crossing the domestic thresholds of some of Britain's most surprising, and in some cases morally ambiguous families is exciting enough, but living nose-to-nose with them for three days really ups the stakes. There's just something incredibly revealing about that level of intimacy, and how it informs, challenges, and even confuses what we think we know. With her formidable pedigree, distinctive journalism and effortless charm, there really is no better person to take us on this journey than Stacey."
Adam Collings, channel director for W, said: "Stacey is a remarkable filmmaker and this series marks a new phase in W's evolving programme offering. Our audience is looking for smart and contemporary views on modern life that are relatable and entertaining. Stacey has the unique ability to draw out stories from people and this brilliant format will bring those exceptional skills to the fore, unearthing what we believe will be a host of fantastic, unexpected and revealing tales from some unusual sections of society."
The series is executive produced by Emma Morgan, Creative Director of Factual, and Sam Emmery for Firecracker Films.
Emma Morgan, Creative Director for Firecracker Films, said: "I have wanted to work with Stacey for years and the Firecracker team are delighted to be collaborating with her on this new series for UKTV. She has been closely involved in the development of the project adding her own insights, humour and journalism to the evolution of the idea - stamping her unique take on the series. It's been great to see Stacey's career go from strength to strength and we are excited to be part of this new venture with her for W. We can't wait to get started."
Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over joins a growing list of UKTV Original shows coming to W, including the Cherry Healey led documentary Sex, Knives & Liposuction, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies and Dr Christian: 12 Hours to Cure Your Street (both produced by Firecracker Films), as well as two scripted series - Women on the Verge and Flack, starring Anna Paquin.