I Am Ruth: Kate Winslet and real-life daughter Mia Threapleton put mental health front and centre in Channel 4 drama
If you watch one thing this Winter...
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

December marks the return of the critically acclaimed Channel 4 series I Am with a feature length special that sees another formidable female actress steering the story.
Raw, honest and authentic in its storytelling - I Am Ruth's message will stay with viewers long after the credits roll. Rooted in post-pandemic, peak-mental-health-endemic times, the narrative follows Oscar-winner Kate Winslet as single mum Ruth, concerned by her teen's emotional state and social media dependence. 17-year-old Freya (played by Winslet's real-life daughter Mia Threapleton) is obsessed with snapping selfies and staying up on her phone way into the early hours.
"Can you just leave me alone," a withdrawn Freya tells Ruth in a line that's an all too-familiar exchange between parents and teenagers. The audience empathises with an emotionally exhausted Ruth, as she grapples between giving 'tough love' and compassion to her daughter in a situation that she doesn't quite understand herself.
The feature length special puts the current mental health crisis amongst young people in full focus. Adolescents retreating further and further into themselves, seeking social validation, and struggling with inner demons is encapsulated triumphantly through Threapleton's performance. Meanwhile generational attitudes towards 'mental wellbeing' are highlighted and questioned, as Ruth's initial brush off of counselling in favour of "getting a good night's sleep" prove to be ineffective.
Those aware of the mother-daughter duo's connection off screen and their visible closeness on screen will find it adds to the intensity of the story. As the strained relationship continues to play out in the 90 minute drama, you'll flit between feelings of frustration, sadness and sympathy for both female characters.
The story is co-authored by Winslet and BAFTA-winning director Dominic Savage - the man behind the lens of the first two series starring the likes of Line of Duty's Vicky McClure (I Am Nicola) and Gentleman Jack's Suranne Jones (I Am Victoria).
"Collaborating closely with the incredible Kate Winslet to bring this important story surrounding child mental health to the screen has been an absolute highlight of my filmmaking career," says Savage. "It encapsulates everything that I love about making drama - experimental, raw, instinctive, with fearless acting, and above all, about something that affects all of us in some way.
"I believe that many parents and children will relate to our story of immense difficulty and hope."
I Am Ruth premieres on Channel 4 on Thursday 8th December and is available to stream on All 4.
Emily Stedman is the Features Editor for GoodTo covering all things TV, entertainment, royal, lifestyle, health and wellbeing. Boasting an encyclopaedic knowledge on all things TV, celebrity and royals, career highlights include working at HELLO! Magazine and as a royal researcher to Diana biographer Andrew Morton on his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess. In her spare time, Emily can be found eating her way around London, swimming at her local Lido or curled up on the sofa binging the next best Netflix show.
-
-
Why have Flybe cancelled all flights? What to do if you're affected by the Flybe collapse
Flybe has gone bust - here's what we know about why Flybe have cancelled all flights.
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
Prince Harry announces first public appearance since Spare release
The event has a star studded line up
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
How many children does Jennifer Lopez have and who is her husband?
Ahead of JLo's new movie Shotgun Wedding being released we look at all you need to know about her family life.
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Who are the Dragons on Dragons' Den and how much are they worth?
We take a look at who are the Dragons on Dragons' Den season 20 and their net worth as the BBC One show returns
By Ellie Hutchings • Published
-
When is Happy Valley on next and how many episodes in season 3?
Viewers who can't get enough of the BBC drama want to know when is Happy Valley on next and how many episodes they can look forward to in season 3.
By Emily Stedman • Published
-
When does Nolly start on ITV? Release date of the Helena Bonham Carter drama
Viewers want to know when does Nolly start on ITV, with the Russell T Davies penned drama seeing Helena Bonham Carter star as actress Noelle Gordon.
By Emily Stedman • Published
-
Who is on Loose Women today? The stars on today's panel
Who is on Loose Women today? This is who to expect on the panel...
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Who left The Apprentice last night?
This is a question on the lips of fans who missed tuning into the 17th season of the hit BBC One show.
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
What happened to Deborah Wood? Channel 4 Documentary In The Footsteps of Killers investigates her murder
What happened to Deborah Wood? 27 years after her disappearance, a new documentary attempts to solve the puzzle surrounding her murder
By Lucy Wigley • Published
-
The Catch book ending explained: The Channel 5 series ending could be different to the book it’s based on
The Catch book ending explained: Viewers are keen to know whether the ending of the Channel 5 series will differ from the novel - here's how the book ends.
By Lucy Wigley • Published