4Studio launches It’s A Sin companion show

20 January 2021

A specially developed companion show to Russell T Davies’ eagerly anticipated It’s A Sin drama series will broadcast across Channel 4’s social channels from this Friday (22.1.21).

It’s A Sin: After Hours is the first production from 4Studio’s development team and will follow linear broadcasts of the five-part drama.

The 15-minute programmes will feature a mix of cast members and special guests including Olly Alexander, Stephen Fry, Nathaniel Hall, Clara Amfo, Munroe Bergdorf, Jade Thirlwall, David Furnish and Neil Patrick Harris.

Hosted by Kemah Bob, It’s A Sin: After Hours will broadcast on Channel 4’s YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook and IGTV (Instagram’s video app) channels. Guests and cast members will explore issues raised by the drama through a modern lens and also share their own real-life experiences. They’ll also discuss the drama’s characters and storylines as well as the fashion and music of the era.

4Studio’s Digital Content Director Janine Smith said: “We’re really delighted that the first production originated from the new 4Studio development team is a companion to such a landmark Channel 4 drama.

“There’s so much to talk about in the show – it definitely leaves you wanting more. Alongside the gossip and chat fans will be craving, It’s A Sin: After Hours also gets to add much more depth and context around HIV and AIDS, the stigmas faced by the LGBTQ+ community at the time and the good news stories and huge progress made in treating the disease now.”

Matt Campion, Spirit’s founder and Creative Director, said: "I’m thrilled to have made It’s A Sin: After Hours. It’s is an incredible series with issues that need discussing, which aligns so well with the work we do at Spirit to drive change for the better. I’m also very excited to see it launch across Channel 4’s social platforms, where the conversation can be continued with the fans of the show.”  

Janine added: “Our production partners Spirit are very digitally-minded and immediately understood the task and did a brilliant job of bringing the idea to life and have produced a great show.

“We’ve been developing our digital production capability in Leeds and we’re now looking to the next stage of our growth and developing original formats in line with Channel 4’s digital growth strategy which will attract new audiences and drive revenue.”

It’s A Sin: After Hours will be available every Friday evening at 10pm on Channel 4’s YouTube, Facebook and IGTV immediately after the broadcast of It’s A Sin, made by Red Production Company, on Channel 4. The programmes will go out on Snapchat on Tuesdays following Friday night broadcasts of the drama.

Notes to Editors

4Studio

Based in Leeds, 4Studio is at the heart of the broadcasters’ digital acceleration strategy leading on all aspects of short-form content publication across social media platforms and delivering on Channel 4’s strategy to serve young audiences in the spaces where they like to consume and interact with content. 

Led by Matt Risley, Head of 4Studio, the team ensures Channel 4 drives engagement with its shows on social platforms by managing and optimising content centrally - from concept through creation to publication and exploitation across multiple platforms.

Credit

Development Producer, 4Studio – Ally McRae