How do you make death and depression subjects fit for primetime TV? Sky drama The End tackles some of the toughest challenges facing modern families today. We were tasked by the show’s makers to position the 10-part series as a must–see for Times readers, and illustrate how dark topics can be tackled sensitively, grippingly… and even with some humour.
Our response included several features across The Times and Sunday Times portfolios, including an interview with the creator of the series, Samantha Strauss, for Culture magazine, and a thought-provoking piece for T2 on how the show handles female “taboos” such as periods and pensioners sunbathing topless.
The standout feature was a four-page wrap of Saturday Times Weekend, entitled Generation Worry. We developed the content with psychologist Dr Fiona Starr, who discussed the issues modern families face today and how these were addressed entertainingly for the small screen.
We commissioned artist Eleanor Macnair to produce a showstopping cover in her vibrant, bold style. Macnair has been reproducing photographs in Play-Doh since 2013. Her aim, she says, is to get viewers to “slow down and re-engage” with images she loves, some well-known, some obscure. Our aim was to present a portrait of a not-so-perfect modern family, putting The End‘s main characters in the frame, to show that dark subjects can make for entertaining TV – depending on how you look at them.
Our response included several features across The Times and Sunday Times portfolios, including an interview with the creator of the series, Samantha Strauss, for Culture magazine, and a thought-provoking piece for T2 on how the show handles female “taboos” such as periods and pensioners sunbathing topless.
The standout feature was a four-page wrap of Saturday Times Weekend, entitled Generation Worry. We developed the content with psychologist Dr Fiona Starr, who discussed the issues modern families face today and how these were addressed entertainingly for the small screen.
We commissioned artist Eleanor Macnair to produce a showstopping cover in her vibrant, bold style. Macnair has been reproducing photographs in Play-Doh since 2013. Her aim, she says, is to get viewers to “slow down and re-engage” with images she loves, some well-known, some obscure. Our aim was to present a portrait of a not-so-perfect modern family, putting The End‘s main characters in the frame, to show that dark subjects can make for entertaining TV – depending on how you look at them.
Credits: Creative Direction - Sachini Imbuldeniya, Senior Creative Lead - Dom Wells, Play-Doh artist - Eleanor Macnair
