Graphic new Channel 4 drama 'Pure' stuns viewers

A new Channel 4 drama, Pure, premiered last night – and it’s certainly caused quite a stir. The series, starring Charly Clive as Marnie, explores a little known strand of OCD often nicknamed ‘Pure O.’

This form of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) leads sufferers to see obsessive mental images constantly, often of the same subject. In Marnie’s case, this involves intrusive sexual thoughts.

Based on the true life experience of writer Rose Cartwright, Marnie is barely able to function as a young professional due to her incessant stream of mental sexual imagery.

While many viewers praised Wednesday night’s premiere for its exploration of the mental health condition, others expressed embarrassment over watching the episode’s sexually graphic scenes with their mothers.

One admitted on Twitter ‘now I can’t look at her in the eye’ and another ‘I made the mistake of turning it on in the family room with my mum.’

Additional viewers also took to Twitter to overwhelmingly praise the series, several of which applauded the series for accurately portraying obsessive compulsive disorder.

One praised it as ‘nicely done’ while another wrote ‘as someone with Pure O I’ve never seen my story told before…this show is important to so many people.’

OCD action, the UK’s largest OCD charity, has also praised Pure.

Speaking exclusively to Yahoo Celebrity, the spokesperson for OCD action said:

“We are immensely impressed with writer Kirstie Swain and the team at Drama Republic for creating such a realistic and sensitive comedy drama focussing around OCD.

“The condition can take many forms, and although sexual intrusive thoughts are a fairly common symptom of OCD, they are rarely spoke about so openly in the media.

“We are confident that Pure will improve people’s understanding of OCD and help people affected feel less alone and more confident in opening up about their condition.”

All episodes of Pure are available to stream online on All 4.

The six episode series begins with Marnie leaving her small town after an epic breakdown at a family gathering. Heading for a new life in London, she embarks on an exploration of her sexuality, only for this to be continually disrupted by her intrusive thoughts.

Billed as a comedy, additional Pure cast members include: The Bisexual’s Niamh Algar, Peaky Blinder’s Joe Cole and Black Mirror’s Kiran Sonia Sawar.

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