Hostage diplomacy documentary directed by Erica Gornall set to air

We are delighted to announce that Erica Gornall’s new documentary PRISONER 951: THE HOSTAGES’ STORY will air on BBC Two on Wednesday 3 December at 9.00pm.

The 90-minute film tells the heartbreaking story of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian charity worker held hostage in Tehran for six years, and the tireless campaign by her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, to bring her home.

Featuring Nazanin’s first documentary interview, testimony from former hostages Anoosheh Ashoori, Kylie Moore-Gilbert and Jason Rezaian and from senior political figures, the film exposes the human cost of diplomacy and the growing crisis of state hostage-taking.

The film is produced by Dancing Ledge Productions for BBC iPlayer and BBC Two and will accompany the broadcaster’s four-part BBC One drama, PRISONER 951, also produced by Dancing Ledge and based on Nazanin and Richard’s forthcoming book, A YARD OF SKY. Fatima Salaria is Exec Producer, Cassie Cornish-Trestrail is Producer and David G. Hill is Editor. The wonderful score is by Simon Russell.

For those who can’t wait, both productions will be available to stream on iPlayer this Sunday following the first episode of PRISONER 951 which airs on BBC One at 9.00pm.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori arrive at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, after being freed from detention by Iranian authorities. Image: BBC/Leon Neal/Alamy