Accidents on set and road collisions suffered by exhausted crew are on the rise. But the demand for great shows continues. Are broadcasters pushing staff too far?

As a young female TV crew member working in an industry where 50% of freelancers are currently unemployed, Amelie* was desperate for a job and money to pay her bills. So when she was offered work on a TV film for a major UK broadcaster miles from where she lived, she took it – despite the fact no accommodation was provided. The set location was in Essex, two and a half to three hours’ drive away from home. Her commute entailed driving around the M25 to and from each day’s shooting, which could take six hours a day during rush hour, and doing the journey even when filming finished at 5.30am. So it was no surprise to those who knew her that, after a couple of weeks, she fell asleep at the wheel of her car and crashed.

It also came as no shock to many who work within the multibillion-pound UK television industry. Car accidents caused by tired, overstretched crew nodding off happen frequently and are often unreported, as workers fear raising the issue could cost them their jobs. Exhaustion is also leading to burnout and accidents on set, with one source alleging a Netflix production recorded almost 50 incidents.