Brief
Douglas Mackinnon unveils Edinburgh‑set paramedic series ‘BurnTime’ at Rome market
The six‑part series follows a rookie paramedic during the Edinburgh Festival and will be pitched at the Rome‑based MIA Market.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Director Douglas Mackinnon, known for “Line of Duty” and “Good Omens”, is preparing a six‑part Edinburgh‑set paramedic drama titled “BurnTime”, which he will present at the Drama Co‑Production Forum of Rome’s MIA Market (Oct. 19‑23).
What happened
“BurnTime” is conceived as a limited series of six 60‑minute episodes set over six consecutive night shifts during the Edinburgh Festival, a month‑long arts celebration in Scotland’s capital. The story follows 35‑year‑old Kylie MacDonald, a newly trained paramedic on her first shift, as she navigates emergency calls while a mystery from her past threatens to destabilise her new life.
What the reports add
Variety notes that Mackinnon links the series title to the high burnout rate among UK paramedics, citing an average tenure of 18 months because of the job’s stress and chaos. He also describes the show’s tone as a blend of dark comedy and the “propulsive energy” of his work on “Line of Duty”. The Edinburgh Festival is portrayed as a character in its own right, providing a “weird and wonderful” backdrop that Mackinnon wants to capture, likening its spontaneity to the chaotic corridors of “ER”.
What was said
“The amount of time that paramedics last in the U.K. on average is 18 months…because it’s so stressful and so chaotic and so messy for their lives,” Mackinnon told Variety.
He added, “Pain and laughter is the world that we’re in.”
On the festival’s role, Mackinnon said, “The festival is like a character, not just a backdrop.” He also paraphrased George Clooney’s description of “ER”, noting, “You could be walking down a corridor, open a door and there’s a Polish choir singing…Then you just shut the door.”
How it came about
Mackinnon launched Rugged Island Films earlier this year to leverage his three‑decade career and Scotland’s production boom. He hopes “BurnTime” will attract international partners at MIA, stating, “MIA is amazing for seeing people’s eyes light up at a project and going, ‘Oh we could do something with this.’” He envisions the format travelling to other festivals worldwide, potentially spawning versions in Brazil, Germany or South Africa.
Key facts
- Douglas Mackinnon is developing a six‑part drama called “BurnTime” set in Edinburgh during the festival. (variety.com)
- The series follows rookie paramedic Kylie MacDonald over six consecutive night shifts. (variety.com)
- Mackinnon will pitch the show at the Drama Co‑Production Forum of Rome’s MIA Market, Oct. 19‑23. (variety.com)
- He cites an average UK paramedic career length of 18 months due to stress. (variety.com)
- Rugged Island Films, Mackinnon’s new company, aims to partner internationally on the project. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “‘Line of Duty’ Director Douglas Mackinnon Preps Edinburgh-Set Paramedic Drama ‘BurnTime,’ Builds Slate at Rugged Island Films (EXCLUSIVE)”
