Airdate: Sticks & Stones

This one could be stress city…

New UK psychological thriller Sticks & Stones from writer Mike Bartlett (Doctor Foster, Trauma) is coming to BBC First.

The 3 part series explores the corrosive effects of workplace bullying.

It stars Ken Nwosu (Killing Eve, The Witches, Christopher Robin), Ben Miller (Bridgerton, Death in Paradise) and Susannah Fielding (The Knot, 1st Night, Life).

It premiered in the UK in December.

Set amid the competitive world of sales, the drama centres on the personal and professional life of Thomas Benson (Nwosu), a hard-working father and husband. Reliant on bonuses and winning pitches, Thomas often finds himself leading the team when trying to secure new business. However, when he freezes during a pitch, the fall out is monumental. Determined to prove himself, Thomas goes to increasingly desperate lengths to remain successful. But, as he does, he begins to feel undermined, under attack and out of control. Has he lost his confidence and is just being paranoid or is his own team, and maybe the wider world, now out to get him? Blending dark humour with intense drama, Sticks & Stones is a timely and globally relevant exploration of the potential cruelty of commercial competition and its impact on our psychology and humanity.

Directed by Julia Ford and produced by Colin Wratten, this contemporary workplace drama also stars BAFTA-winner Ben Miller, Sean Sagar, Susannah Fielding, Ritu Arya and Alexandra Roach. 

Thursdays at 8.30pm from May 20 on BBC First.