Face It

The Face It comedy drama monologues written by Miranda Walker reveal how two women feel about their faces in the modern swipe-right world, and the unexpected impact of wearing Covid-19 face masks.

Annoyed with her ageing let-down of a face, ambitious Abbey, played by Abigail Cruttenden, has had enough of being overlooked. She's hell-bent on holding back the years and landing a promotion... with some help from Muhammad Ali. But how far will she go for the win, and is she prepared for the fallout?

Abigail Cruttenden says: "I loved the idea of the whole Face It project and, as a woman in a renowned ageist industry, the subject matter hugely appealed to me. It required huge energy and concentration from everyone to shoot fifteen minutes of monologue in one day, but Miranda's brilliant script buoyed us up. It was a great team and a great challenge."

Played by Crystal Marshall (in her debut role on graduating from LAMDA), straight-talking Leonie is confident her acquired visible facial difference won't stand in her way. She's dealt with her demons and fiercely knows that her changed face doesn't matter. But can she dig deep and face a blast from her past who has yet to see her 'new face'?

Both Crystal and writer Miranda have a visible facial difference. Crystal advocates for face equality and is keen to be a role model for young people with a visible difference who rarely, if ever, see themselves reflected onscreen.

Crystal Marshall says: "Wearing a mask to protect against Covid has changed my own experience of going out, and it's as though the writer had a telescope and could see into my life!"

Miranda Walker comments: "I'm delighted to be able to tell these stories, something I feel has been missing from our screens, within a comedy drama format. Abbey feels invisible but comes out swinging when she's backed into a corner, and Leonie is a vibrant character who finds humour in everyday interactions while dealing with some intense emotions."

Executive producer Michaela Hennessy-Vass says: "Miranda Walker has created two powerful, authentic stories; these are narratives rarely heard and yet there's a strong resonance for us all."