{"id":29878,"date":"2023-02-07T17:24:27","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T16:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1781596"},"modified":"2023-02-08T06:56:15","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T05:56:15","slug":"is-consent-based-on-a-true-story","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/is-consent-based-on-a-true-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Consent based on a true story?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new Channel 4 factual drama airs tonight. <\/p>

By Morgan Cormack\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 07 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Consent.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This article contains discussion of sexual assault that some readers may find upsetting.<\/em><\/p>\n

Airing tonight (Tuesday 7th February) on Channel 4 is new factual drama Consent<\/a>, which is\u00a0primed to be one of the most important watches so far this year and is set at an elite school where the lines of sexual consent are dangerously blurred.<\/p>\n

The one-off film explores \u201cwhat it feels like for young people in an environment where sexual expectations are distorted by the instant access to porn and where the lines of consent are minimised\u201d.<\/p>\n

Leading the cast<\/a> as Natalie is Lashay Anderson, who is the working-class \u2018outsider\u2019 newcomer who joins a school filled with privilege, elitism and \u2018lad culture\u2019. After one distressing night at a party, the teen wages allegations against one of the big personalities at the school, Archie (played by Tom Victor).<\/p>\n

While the topics this film broaches are very much real (discussions of porn culture, misogyny, toxic masculinity and sexual harassment feature), is Consent based on a true story? Read on to find out \u2013 but be warned, there are spoilers<\/strong> ahead.<\/p>

Is Consent based on a true story?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The cast of Consent.<\/span><\/figcaption> Channel 4<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As outlined in the series and its trailer, Consent is inspired by true events. While it\u2019s not based on one specific case, the drama is based on countless testimonies.<\/p>\n

In the closing scenes of Consent, the headmaster sees Archie and tells him: \u201cI think the best thing to do is to chalk this whole business up to experience. You\u2019re an intelligent boy with a bright future. But perhaps consider a more sober lifestyle to avoid such complications.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hands him a leaflet for Alcoholics Anonymous and then tells him that Natalie will not be returning to the sixth form.<\/p>\n

Upon leaving his office, Archie is greeted by his group of friends cheering and laughing, patting him on the back. They\u2019re celebrating and taking pictures, but Kyle (Alex Heath) is sitting in the background, removed from them slightly.<\/p>\n

Natalie then walks out with her books in hand and not in uniform, clearly marking her last moments at the school. \u201cLook at you, a proper Dales boy now,\u201d she says once she sees them.<\/p>\n

We then fast forward to three weeks later when the school\u2019s history merit prize is awarded to Archie, who turns out to be one of the Oxbridge-confirmed students in the sixth form. Kyle is clearly moved by how everything has ended and sends a text message to Natalie, with the video that Kyle took of her rape attached, texting: \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n