LIVING EVERY SECOND: KRIS HALLENGA DOCUMENTARY ANNOUNCED FOR BBC TWO

BBC Factual has announced Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story (w/t), with leading UK/US producer October Films in production on the documentary special celebrating the incredible life of the breast cancer campaigner.

The news in May 2024 that Kris Hallenga had died at the age of 38 made the headlines across the national press and social media, and led to an outpouring of admiration, celebration and recognition for an extraordinary young woman who lived with stage four cancer for 15 years, defying convention about how to live, how to die and becoming an inspiration to millions.

October Films and Neil Bonner previously produced and directed the 2014 BBC One documentary Kris: Dying to Live, which followed Kris and her twin sister Maren building the fastest growing charity in Europe, Coppafeel, and sharing her unique philosophy on living with cancer. Her humour, energy and bravery captured the imagination of viewers and reminded millions to make sure they took regular medical check-ups.

Now, Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story (w/t) reveals the fullest story of Kris’ remarkable approach to life and death. It includes family archive of Kris and Maren’s childhoods from the moment of their births, diary footage shot by Kris and Maren throughout their campaigning activities and beyond.

Plus there's hours of powerful and celebratory scenes filmed by Neil Bonner over the past 10 years including the final weeks of her life; a time when the incredible bond she and Maren have shared since the womb enables them to find solace and joy in spite of the hardship.

Family members and friends, including Fearne Cotton and Dawn French, also describe what Kris meant to them personally and reflect on her status as an iconic British woman.

Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, says: “Kris was a hugely inspirational woman who had a great impact on the many people who live with cancer by helping to raise awareness, and the importance of being checked early. I would like to say a huge thanks to Kris’s family for entrusting us to now tell this chapter of her story.”

Neil Bonner, Director, October Films adds: “Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story (w/t) is an intimate and celebratory film exploring Kris’s irrepressible spirit as she confronts mortality in her own unique way. It will be emotionally hard-hitting as well as touching, heartfelt and funny. I want it to be a life-affirming documentary which turns hopelessness on its head and leaves us with Kris’ unique understanding of what it means to live and die.”

Matt Robins, Executive Producer, says: “Anyone who met Kris could not help but be touched by her charisma, honesty and humour. I am fortunate to have known her and feel privileged to be able to share her and Maren’s story. I have no doubt that millions of people will take joy from witnessing a life truly lived, by a woman who dared to harness the power of her voice to change the world.”

Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story (w/t) is an October Films production.