Six Years in Chains

The incredible saga of Bazaar’s contributing editor, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who endured six years of detention in Iran, and the relentless efforts of her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, who campaigned tirelessly for her release, is being transformed into a compelling four-part series by the BBC.

This drama, inspired by their forthcoming memoir "A Yard of Sky," will unveil both perspectives of their extraordinary journey. It begins with Nazanin’s harrowing arrest and wrenching separation from her 22-month-old daughter at the Tehran airport, and follows her through the labyrinth of incarceration—detailing moments of unexpected solace and the grueling hunger strikes she endured. Concurrently, it will chronicle Richard’s indefatigable quest to secure her freedom, a mission that saw him challenging government officials and Iranian authorities, thrusting her plight into the national consciousness.

Released in March 2022, Nazanin has since emerged as a prominent activist and cultural icon. Her ordeal drew widespread condemnation not only of the Iranian regime but also of the British government's delayed response. Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt poignantly noted, "She doesn’t owe us gratitude, we owe her an explanation…"

Scheduled for publication by Penguin in September, "A Yard of Sky" promises an intimate look into their ordeal. Meanwhile, the BBC’s as-yet-untitled series, produced in collaboration with Fremantle and Dancing Ledge Productions — the team behind the acclaimed "The Salisbury Poisonings" — will bring this heart-wrenching story to screens on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

A BBC spokesperson commented on the new series: "Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Richard Ratcliffe’s extraordinary experiences captivated the world; their story is one of despair, resilience, and hope, traversing two countries and six tumultuous years. Ultimately, it’s a testament to how a family torn apart by international strife was finally reunited."