Cast Offs

A TV company, hoping to break new and controversial ground, strands six people with disabilities on a remote island as part of a new reality TV show. If you left the premise at that, nobody would bat an eyelid: Channel 4 has been courting controversy with similar shows for years (e.g., Boys and Girls Alone). This, though, is a drama. All six principal actors have a disability - a belated first for British television - and as the series follows their struggle to cope with island life, it also shows, in flashback, the characters' earlier lives. While Channel 4 may not produce as many hours of drama as it once did, this series demonstrates that those it does tend to be of higher quality than other channels' efforts.

Are we there yet?

The disabled on screen have rarely been more than quirky objects of pity - until now. Cast Offs co-writer Jack Thorne reveals why his new TV drama will be 'filthy, funny and annoying'.

Cast Offs - Time to cast a new light on disability

A blackly funny new TV series aims to rescue disabled characters from the modish comedy of embarrassment. Gerard Gilbert reports.

Channel 4 turns disability into a comedy drama

Cast Offs, a comedy drama about the making of a disabled take on Survivor, is about to become one of the most talked about programmes of the year when it begins this month.

C4 comedy tackles 'last taboo' of disability

Channel 4 has turned the topic of disability into a comedy drama with Cast Offs, a series based on the reality television format.

Skins plus Shameless plus Disability equals what?

Disability Arts Online reviews a Channel 4 comedy drama which gives lead roles to six disabled actors.