Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism?, Deadline

“In this unflinching documentary, Simmonds met families taking part in the trial. A model presenter, she kept her strong opinions in check while listening to those with opposing views. I enjoyed hearing about Simmonds’s prejudice-busting life story. Her programme should go a long way towards eroding prejudice and showing viewers how to debate emotive issues with intelligence and compassion.”
Helen Brown, The Telegraph

“There was little examination of other cultural issues that can be at play or comparisons with the effect medical interventions have had on other conditions (amniocentesis tests and Down’s syndrome birthrates, perhaps). But it raised questions and awareness – and hopefully there are more of both to come.”
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian

“Simmonds wasn’t being polemical, instead sensitively exploring this ‘existential threat to the dwarf community’ (as a campaigner put it) with an open mind and offering her valuable viewpoint on the matter. The kind of programme that, when you think about it, you’d get only from a public broadcaster.”
James Jackson, The Times

“I’m fed up with crime thrillers that constantly fling up captions as the narrative zigzags like an out-of-control Tardis. Deadline proves none of that is necessary for an engrossing psychological mystery. It takes a tight circle of suspects and a story that starts at its beginning, with an art collector being bashed over the head with one of his own priceless statuettes. This straightforward approach gives director Joe Ahearne freedom to add some stylish, filmic twists.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“The best thing about Channel 5’s four-part thrillers is that they’re not pretending they’re prestige pieces of art. Comfortable in their own modestly budgeted skin, they rely on easy storytelling and broad, sexy performances, with no time for brooding longueurs to a Thom Yorke soundtrack.”
James Jackson, The Times