We are happy to share the exciting news that Samuel Jefferson, a Serial Eyes Alumnus (DFFB), has successfully wrapped up the 75-day filming of his latest series project, KRANK. This ambitious venture explores the multifaceted world of a fictional hospital nestled in the vibrant district of Neukölln, using the German term “Krank,” meaning sick, weird, or freaky, as its title and inspiration.
Samuel Jefferson is a a London Film School screenwriting graduate and Bafta Rocliffe New Writing Initiative winner for an A&E sitcom. He brings a unique blend of real-life anecdotes from his medical experiences and stories shared by German doctors. The result is a genre-defying narrative that transitions between drama, comedy, and action.
Jefferson’s journey combines his medical background with his passion for storytelling. All began in 2018 when he joined the Serial Eyes course for European TV writers at the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin. While there, he got to meet producers Alexis von Wittgenstein and Gilda Weller of Violet Pictures, who recognized his potential to create an authentic hospital drama:
“Samuel was the perfect fit for us, von Wittgenstein says. “He was talented, had experience as a doctor as well as the TV training, so we said let’s dare to do it.
Navigating the challenges of cultural differences, Jefferson questioned whether his experiences in the UK could translate effectively into the German market. However, as he dived into the German healthcare system, he discovered parallels with the UK’s NHS, such as the universal stress faced by medical professionals.
Despite initial concerns, Jefferson found that the universal humor in his stories transcended language barriers. Beyond the entertainment aspect, KRANK deals with the critical issue of financial incentives in the healthcare system. Jefferson brings light on this phenomenon in Germany, where doctors receive financial incentives for unnecessary treatments, paralleling the challenges faced by the NHS.
The set of KRANK, situated in the abandoned SEZ, adds an extra layer of character to the drama. Jefferson reflects on the ambiance of the once-popular East German leisure center, now overtaken by raccoons and foxes, providing a backdrop to the unfolding narrative.
As KRANK nears completion, Samuel Jefferson’s innovative approach to storytelling promises to offer audiences a fresh perspective on the complexities of healthcare, blending humor, drama, and action in a compelling exploration of the human experience within the medical world.