Nicola Coughlan’s I Am Helen Trailer Confronts Toxic Masculinity

Nicola Coughlan takes the lead in the first trailer for I Am Helen, a new two-part Channel 4 drama examining control, masculine power and the pressures placed on women in modern relationships. The project pairs the Bridgerton and Derry Girls actor with Joe Cole, who plays Helen’s partner, Steve.

The preview begins with Helen describing a rough patch after five years with Steve. That understated explanation gives way to a darker picture as his ideas and behavior become increasingly controlling, forcing Helen to confront what the relationship means for her safety.

A story built around Coughlan’s perspective

I Am Helen was developed by Coughlan with filmmaker Dominic Savage, who created, wrote and directed the installment. Channel 4 describes the story as a female-led examination of womanhood in a world shaped by aggression and control. The broadcaster has ordered two 60-minute episodes.

The drama continues Savage’s anthology format, in which each standalone story is shaped in collaboration with its leading performer. Earlier chapters featured Vicky McClure, Samantha Morton, Gemma Chan, Suranne Jones, Letitia Wright and Lesley Manville. The anthology debuted on Channel 4 in 2019 and has used self-contained stories to explore sharply different experiences of womanhood. Kate Winslet later led I Am Ruth, which earned major awards recognition, including BAFTAs.

Channel 4 keeps the release window broad

Me+You Productions is producing the new installment, with Krishnendu Majumdar and Savage serving as producers. Sky Studios is co-funding the series, while NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles international sales.

Channel 4 says I Am Helen will air and stream later in 2026, but a specific transmission date has not yet been announced. The trailer positions the drama as an intimate relationship story rather than a conventional thriller, using Helen’s point of view to reveal how apparently private tensions can become a question of autonomy and safety.