Stammering in BBC's new drama 'Time'

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A new BBC drama co-written by Jimmy McGovern features a character who stammers.

The third series of the acclaimed drama Time by Jimmy McGovern — himself someone who stammers — started on BBC1 last Sunday. Set in a young offender’s institution and starring David Tennant, the show follows a group of young offenders through their first weeks of incarceration.

One of those characters, Christopher, played by newcomer Chukwubuikem Molokwu, stammers, adding an extra struggle. In the opening episode, we see Christopher being greeted by a sympathetic chaplain (Siobhan Finneran), who gives him space to stammer. That space isn’t as forthcoming later on, as Christopher speaks with his visiting mother, who he hasn’t seen since he was four. As she can't speak much English, communication between the two are difficult.

In an interview with The Guardian, Molokwu said of his character: "He’s still a good-hearted kid, just vulnerable because of growing up in care with a stammer, someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to learn how to make the best decision in a bad situation".

This is the latest in a string of recent portrayals on our screens following our No Diversity Without Disfluency campaign for better representation in the media.

What did you think of the portrayal? We'd love to know. Email editor@stamma.org and we may add your comments to this page.

Episode three of Time is on BBC1 on Sunday at 9pm, or you can watch the whole series on iPlayer.