Behind the Scenes: Shaping a Refugee’s Story in Television Drama
Posted by Jenni Regan on July 31, 2024
At IMIX, we support grassroots migration organisations, build communications capacity, and connect journalists with media volunteers to ensure sensitive portrayals of migrants. We recently collaborated with a production company on The Gathering, a six-part Channel 4 drama featuring a young Syrian refugee in Liverpool.
Our role began with fact-checking to ensure the character’s story was plausible and accurate. Although the writer had engaged with refugees, we involved our Lived Experience Storytellers Network for deeper authenticity. Over several months, our team and storytellers worked with researchers and producers, providing feedback and script changes.
Significant changes included removing a scene where Bazi is victim of a random attack, which risked reinforcing Islamophobic stereotypes. We also recommended removing a deep facial scar to avoid unintended negative connotations. Additionally, we addressed the portrayal of Bazi’s involvement in sex work, emphasising the systemic issues faced by undocumented individuals rather than criminalising his circumstances.
There were also subtle changes. For example in a flashback to his early life in Syria where he is cooking with his mother and sister, originally showed his mother with her head covered, one of our storytellers challenged this and the resulting scene was much more humanised and powerful.
While our influence was substantial, working under a non-disclosure agreement limited our involvement in pre-publicity efforts. Nonetheless, our contributions were acknowledged by the writer in an article for the Royal Television Society. We were also praised on social media with the Executive Producer tweeting: ‘We were so supported by IMIX in our portrayal of Bazi. So important to challenge stereotypes and bring as much authenticity as possible. They’re a brilliant charity – can highly recommend using their services.‘
The show’s reviews noted that the murder mystery was less engaging than the exploration of the characters’ lives. Bazi was portrayed not merely as a refugee but as a multifaceted character—a queer, Parkour-loving teenager. This depiction moved beyond typical victim narratives, offering a richer, more humanised portrayal.
Though time consuming and challenging, our involvement ensured a more authentic representation. Drama has a unique ability to engage wide audiences and foster emotional connections, potentially reaching those who might not otherwise engage with refugee stories. This narrative can spark broader discussions in media and public forums.
Fictional characters can shape public perception, for better or worse. When stereotypes are avoided and characters are depicted with complexity, it can challenge misconceptions and foster greater empathy. Our work with The Gathering aimed to ensure that the storyline was not only accurate but also resonated with viewers, encouraging them to see beyond stereotypes and understand the nuanced realities of refugees’ lives.
