BETTER OFF DEAD?: BBC ANNOUNCES NEW ASSISTED DYING DOCUMENTARY FROM LIZ CARR

BBC One have announced the commission of new documentary, Better Off Dead? (working title), written and presented by disability rights activist Liz Carr for BBC One and iPlayer.

Liz says: “Too many disabled people will have had the experience of someone, often a complete stranger, telling them, 'if I was like you, I’d rather be dead'. Putting such low value on our lives has been reported in medical settings when disabled and older people have 'do not resuscitate' orders placed on their medical notes without their consent...

"This documentary is about challenging the assumptions behind these actions and shining a light on the many grey areas in this often one sided debate."

This year, a House of Commons Select Committee has for the first time launched an enquiry into the legalisation of assisted suicide, with its findings set to influence future government policy.

Concerned that any change in the law sends the message that the lives of disabled and marginalised people are less valuable, Liz will take an in-depth look at the issue, speaking to people from all sides of the debate. She will also travel to Canada to explore the repercussions of some of the most permissive euthanasia laws in the world. Here she will be confronted with a law for people who are disabled, and not just the terminally ill.

Liz says: "I'm pro-choice, an atheist, a rights campaigner and assisted suicide scares me. I want everyone to have a good death and through this documentary, i hope to show why I'm unconvinced that any type of 'assisted dying' is the answer to this."

Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted, says: “Factual at the BBC is in great shape, with recent series such as Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland and Parole as well as singles such as Rose Ayling Ellis’s film on the deaf community or Matt Willis on addiction winning widespread acclaim.

We want to continue bringing audiences impactful new films that inspire debate and bring fresh new perspectives on important issues and I’m really pleased that Liz Carr is presenting this new film, sharing her own unique insight into the difficult debate around assisted suicide."

Better Off Dead? (working title),a 1x60’ for BBC One and iPlayer, is commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual.