Film: DOPPELGÄNGER: North East Playwright Alison Carr Makes Bold BBC Debut

 

DOPPELGÄNGER: North East Playwright Alison Carr Makes Bold BBC Debut

Dark Comedy Explores Maternal Trauma, Identity, and the Devastating Effects of Comparison

Premieres: Sunday 1st February, 10pm on BBC Three 

Available on BBC iPlayer

Award-winning Gateshead playwright Alison Carr makes her screenwriting debut with Doppelgänger, a darkly comic 13-minute film that uses the uncanny premise of meeting your exact double to explore maternal trauma, identity, and self-worth. Directed by Newcastle's Zak Harney and produced entirely in the North East by Candle and Bell, the film premieres as part of BBC Three's Long Story Short series at 10pm on Sunday 1st February before becoming available on BBC iPlayer.

Designed by local artist James Dixon

A Childhood Coincidence with Lifelong Consequences

When ten-year-old Josie Johns met her doppelgänger—another girl with the identical name and appearance—it kicked off a decade of intense and bitter rivalry. Now an adult, Josie (played brilliantly by Sarah Balfour in a dual role) is about to confront her double, settle some scores, and take back control of her identity once and for all.

Doppelgänger follows Josie Johns, a young woman haunted by a childhood coincidence that paired her for life with an identical girl of the same name. Reunited years later, the two Josies' differences couldn't be more apparent: one confident and successful, the other emotionally worn down. As Josie grapples with her dying mother's emotional abuse and her need to finally be seen as worthy, the encounter spirals into a surreal confrontation with identity, self-loathing, and fate, culminating in a literal and symbolic attempt to destroy the version of herself she believes has ruined her life.

Carr's screenplay deftly balances dark humour with deeper psychological terrain, creating a narrative that feels both intimately personal and universally recognisable. The 13-minute, 7-second format—a hallmark of the Long Story Short series—proves the perfect vehicle for this concentrated burst of existential comedy, allowing Carr to explore complex themes of maternal trauma and identity without overstaying her welcome.

As Candle and Bell's Maria Caruana Galizia notes, "This film proves what's possible when regional production receives proper support. We're not making 'regional content' - we're making ambitious, technically sophisticated work that happens to be made in the North East."

The film deliberately challenges expectations about North East storytelling. As Carr emphasises, it is "firmly rooted in the North East while also challenging the stories we're 'allowed' to tell up here. It is bright, off-beat, and contemporary"—a fresh and modern contrast to the bleak stories normally associated with the region. The production tells a vibrant and heightened story with colourful and charming characters.

From Stage to Screen: An Award-Winning Voice Makes the Leap

Alison Carr is an award-winning playwright, born and raised in Gateshead and now living across the river in Newcastle upon Tyne. Her work has been produced across the region, throughout the UK, and internationally, earning her significant recognition including Writer of the Year at the North East Culture Awards 2017.

Her theatre credits include A Street Like This (Unfolding Theatre), which won Performance of the Year at the North East Culture Awards 2023; Until It's Gone (Òran Mór's A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Stellar Quines, Traverse Theatre); Tuesday (National Theatre Connections Festival 2020, 2021 & 2023); The Last Quiz Night On Earth (Box of Tricks, 2020); and Iris (Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2016). She also won the Live Theatre/The Empty Space Bursary Award for The Soaking of Vera Shrimp.

Carr's audio work includes We Step Outside And Start To Dance (ACE, National Lottery, Winner – OnComm Award) and Dolly Would (BBC Radio 4). Her play Birdie was a Finalist for the Women's Prize for Playwriting 2022.

"Having my first writing for the screen be selected to be part of Long Story Short has been an incredible experience," says Carr. "I have felt so supported by the BBC and Candle and Bell, and it was a joy to work with Zak and the rest of the talented crew and cast. Doppelgänger is firmly rooted in the North East while also challenging the stories we're 'allowed' to tell up here. It is bright, off-beat, and contemporary, and I am so proud of the film we have made."

An Award-Winning Director Brings the Vision to Life

Doppelgänger is directed by Zak Harney, an award-winning director and commercial filmmaker from Newcastle. Since his debut short Bubbles won Best British Short Film at the LA Film Festival in 2017, Harney's short films and documentaries have received numerous festival selections and accolades.

In 2019, he was featured in the annual UNSIGNED exhibition at BBH, a showcase celebrating emerging talent across creative industries. His work has been recognised by the British Short Film Awards, Norwich Film Festival, Manchester Film Festival, and even earned a student BAFTA nomination.

In early 2025, Harney won the Auteurs Award at the British Short Film Awards, while his comedy short The Morning After took home Best Comedy and Best International Director at the Portland Comedy Festival. Despite his growing list of achievements, his mam still affectionately calls him a "camera man."

"The idea of telling a story in the North East, with Geordie cast and crew is honestly something I've been dreaming about my entire career," says Harney. "To get the opportunity to fulfill that dream with a team as accomplished as Alison and the Candle & Bell team was an absolute treat. The film we have created is vibrant, bold and full of personality; something that represents the North East perfectly in my very unbiased opinion."

A Stellar North East Cast

Sarah Balfour as Both Josies

In a remarkable dual performance, Sarah Balfour plays both versions of Josie Johns. A brilliant Geordie actor and writer, Balfour is known for her starring turn as Kay in sitcom Dead Canny and more recently starred as Jen in Dogs on Metro. She can also be seen in Series 5 of Slow Horses.

As Josie (publicly labelled "Josie #2"), Balfour portrays a woman whose identity has been shaped by a childhood coincidence that condemned her to a lifetime of comparison. Growing up absorbing her mother's cruelty and internalising the belief that she was the lesser version, Josie is now brittle, impulsive, and emotionally exposed. She masks deep insecurity with defiance and dark humour, carrying a simmering need to be seen as worthy on her own terms.

As Other Josie ("Josie #1"), Balfour embodies a woman who has benefited from the same childhood coincidence that damaged her double, emerging as the more polished, confident version. Neatly put together and outwardly self-assured, she has grown comfortable being the better version. Pragmatic to the point of emotional detachment, she treats the past as trivial and the rivalry as harmless. There is a subtle cruelty in her character, rooted not in malice but in the ease of never having had to doubt her own place.

Kylie Ann Ford as Josie's Mam

Josie's Mam is played by Kylie Ann Ford, an experienced stage and screen actor from the North East, known for her role as Lisa in the BAFTA-nominated Blue Jean.

Ford's character is an embodiment of Josie's memories and trauma. From childhood, Josie's Mam casts Josie as "the lesser one," using comparison as both punishment and proof, withholding warmth while obsessively measuring what might have been. Emotionally volatile and cuttingly perceptive, she frames her cruelty as honesty.

Lola and Layla Todd as the Young Josies

Real-life twins Lola and Layla Todd make their screen debuts as the young Josies. Having only ever performed in school plays before, the pair make the step to screen admirably, capturing the doppelgänger rivalry perfectly. We see the inception of the rivalry with the Josies and how the reaction of the adults around them can shape their futures.

Supporting Cast

Sarah Lewis Obuba plays The Reporter, portrayed as a heightened, unsettling version of a regional news presenter, her forced warmth and performative cheer masking an invasive authority. A North East-based actress with over 20 years' experience across stage, television, and audio drama, Obuba is known for roles in Vera, The Dumping Ground, and the 2023 feature Lore, as well as her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and as a podcast presenter.

Raul Kohli, a Newcastle upon Tyne-born stand-up comedian and broadcaster, winner of the 2017 NATYs Award and a 2024 nominee for Best Show at the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards, plays The Photographer—an intimidating, blunt presence whose casual remarks carry scathing cruelty.

Jack Robertson, a BAFTA-nominated writer and actor raised in Whitley Bay, plays Other Josie's Dad as a warm and casual joker whose good-natured humour and effortless affection only sharpen the imbalance between the two families. Robertson's screen credits include the BBC's Hospital People, CBBC's Danny & Mick, and ITV's Inspector George Gently. He's a co-creator and performer in the sketch show Metroland, which enjoyed sell-out runs locally, a successful YouTube series, and a sold-out 2024 Edinburgh Fringe run. He recently starred in the West End version of Gerry and Sewell.

The Long Story Short Series: A Platform for New Voices

Doppelgänger joins BBC Three's Long Story Short strand, a series specifically designed to showcase emerging and established talent working in short-form drama. The series has become a crucial platform for writers, directors, and performers looking to experiment with form, take creative risks, and reach new audiences.

At just 13 minutes, each Long Story Short instalment challenges creators to tell complete, satisfying stories within severe constraints. This format has proven particularly effective for comedy-drama hybrids like Doppelgänger, where tonal shifts and character revelations must land quickly and precisely.

The series launches at 9pm on Sunday 1st February on BBC Three, with Doppelgänger following at 10pm. All episodes will then be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, ensuring maximum accessibility for North East audiences eager to support local talent.

Questions of Identity in a Comparison Culture

While specific plot details remain under wraps, Carr's premise taps into deeply contemporary anxieties. In an age of social media, where we're constantly confronted with curated versions of other people's lives, the idea of a literal doppelgänger—someone who looks like you but might be living a better version of your life—takes on particular resonance.

The film explores how we construct our identities in relation to others, how comparison shapes self-perception, and what happens when the person we're measuring ourselves against is, quite literally, our mirror image. These are questions that feel especially urgent now, making Doppelgänger both timely and timeless.

Carr's decision to frame these existential concerns through the lens of comedy demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how humour can disarm audiences, allowing deeper truths to land more effectively. The comedy-drama hybrid has become one of the most vital forms in British television, and Doppelgänger promises to add a distinctive voice to this tradition.

Regional Talent on the National Stage

The commissioning of Doppelgänger represents another important moment for North East creative talent breaking through to national platforms. The film was produced entirely in the North East, filming on location in Heaton, Gateshead, and Hebburn, and championing local talent, crew, and locations throughout.

For North East audiences, seeing work by a local playwright on BBC Three provides both pride and possibility—proof that talent from the region can compete at the highest levels and that our stories deserve national attention.

The success of projects like Doppelgänger has implications beyond the individual achievement. When regional writers break through to national platforms, it demonstrates to commissioners and producers that talent exists outside traditional hubs like London and Manchester.

It also provides inspiration and practical examples for other North East writers considering the transition from stage to screen. Carr's journey from theatre to BBC Three offers a potential roadmap: develop your voice in one medium, then translate those skills to another.

The North East has a strong theatrical tradition, with numerous playwrights, companies, and venues producing vital work. But screen opportunities have been more limited. As streaming platforms and broadcasters like BBC Three expand their commissioning to include more diverse voices and shorter formats, writers like Carr are well-positioned to make the leap.

Viewing Information 

Television Premiere:

• Date: Sunday, 1st February 2025
• Time: 10:00pm
• Channel: BBC Three
• Series Launch: The full Long Story Short series begins at 9:00pm

Streaming:

• Platform: BBC iPlayer
• Availability: From Sunday, 1st February, following the television broadcast
• Duration: 13 minutes