Isolation Stories: ITV commission four-part drama series filmed in coronavirus lockdown

Actors will be responsible for filming themselves, with directors giving instruction remotely, in accordance with official lockdown rules

ITV has commissioned a four-part drama series called Isolation Stories, which will be filmed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Executive produced by Oscar-nominated writer Jeff Pope (Stan & Ollie), the series of shorts will be developed in accordance with the government's lockdown rules. Actors and families will film themselves, with the series's directors watching the performances remotely.

Each episode will try to reflect what families are experiencing during the lockdown.

"Like everybody else I have been isolating at home, and in my case watching my wife suffering badly with the virus," revealed Pope.

"I wanted to do something to catch the mood," he continued. "I knew it would be very difficult to try and shoot dramas in these circumstances, but I felt the public would understand if things were a little rough and ready, if we at least had a go."

Paul Whittington (White House Farm) and Paul Andrew Williams (Broadchurch) will each direct an episode.

ITV's head of Drama Polly Hill said: “It’s amazing that Jeff has managed to make these short films so quickly, to reflect the times we are living in."

"These are moving and funny tales of isolation with an incredibly talented team on and off screen. They are stories told from isolation to an audience in isolation. It’s not often drama can be made this quickly so huge thanks to everyone involved in making this happen and I hope they bring some joy to the audience, in what we know are difficult times.”

ITV has stated that the series will air "in the next few weeks."