Stacey Dooley explores ketamine, abusive relationships in new docs for BBC

Stacey Dooley Down The K-Hole meets those battling to come off ketamine

BBC/Nine Lives Media/Ryan McNamara

The BBC is set to air three new documentaries fronted by Stacey Dooley, each looking at timely issues facing the UK today, including the rising use of ketamine among young people and abusive relationships.

The hour-long documentaries were commissioned for BBC Three and iPlayer by Clare Sillery, former head of commissioning, documentaries, at the BBC, who stepped down from the role earlier this year.

Each one is being made by a different UK production company: Stacey Dooley: Down The K-Hole comes from Nine Lives Media; Stacey Dooley: Death In The Barracks (working title) is made by Sandpaper Films; and Fallen Women With Stacey Dooley (w/t) comes from Story Films.

Stacey Dooley: Down The K-Hole will see the presenter and journalist spent time in a Stockport rehabilitation unit to find out if former ketamine users can overcome their addiction and rebuild their lives.

Ketamine is one of the most popular recreational drugs used by under 24-year-olds in the UK, but an increasing number of people are being treated for its damaging side effects on their bodies and minds.

The executive producers for Nine Lives Media are Cat Lewis and Daniel Harrison, the commissioning editor is Fran Baker and the commissioning executive is Shona Thompson.

In Death in the Barracks, Dooley explores the events leading up to Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck’s tragic death in her barracks at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire.

The executive producer for Sandpaper Films is Susannah Price and Henry Singer and the commissioning executive for the BBC is Thompson.

Fallen Women With Stacey Dooley looks into cases in which women died after falling from height

BBC/Story Films TV

Fallen Women sees Dooley look into a series of cases involving British women who died following falls from height, asking whether patterns of domestic abuse may have been overlooked in some of these deaths.

Directed by Angela Byrne, the executive producers for Story Films are Natasha Bondy, Josie Besbrode and Pete Beard. The commissioning editor for the BBC is Beejal-Maya Patel.

Dooley said: “Each one of these documentaries explores difficult, often overlooked issues, from the deaths of women where crucial questions remain, to the growing impact of ketamine use, and for some, the devastating reality faced by those living in military barracks.

“They are going to be some of the most challenging, and important films I’ve worked on here in the UK, I’m sure. The access we have been afforded to meet those affected, to hear their stories and try to understand the broader picture feels like an enormous responsibility and one that isn’t lost on me. I would like to thank everyone who has agreed to contribute. And I hope all three films encourage thoughtful conversations.”