Cystic fibrosis in film and TV
Films and TV programmes featuring cystic fibrosis (CF) can help raise vital awareness of the condition – but because these stories are created for entertainment, they don't always show the full picture.
On this page, we’ve put together some information about the issues raised in some of the best-known portrayals of CF in film and TV, including Five Feet Apart, EastEnders, and Casualty. Whether you're new to CF or want to learn more, we're here to help you separate fact from fiction.
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Cystic fibrosis in films and TV programmes
EastEnders
In 2024, EastEnders featured a storyline with Jade, played by Elizabeth Green, returning to Albert Square after receiving a double lung transplant as part of the character’s ongoing story with cystic fibrosis (CF). Jade was previously featured in EastEnders in 2016.
Five Feet Apart
Five Feet Apart is a 2019 American film featuring two young people with CF who fall in love but must stay separated because of cross-infection risks. The film introduced millions of people to CF and prompted conversations around the world about the condition.
Learn more about cross-infection
Casualty
In 2019, BBC1's Casualty featured a character with cystic fibrosis, Effie, played by Abigail Hardingham. Effie featured in an ongoing storyline, involving her relationship with doctor Ethan Hardy and her time spent on a CF clinical trial.
Learn more about clinical trials
Voicemails for Isabelle
Voicemails for Isabelle is a 2026 American film. The plot follows Jill, who copes with the death of her sister, Isabelle, who had cystic fibrosis, by continuing to leave rambling daily messages on Isabelle's old phone number.
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What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting over 11,000 people in the UK. CF causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus, which builds up in the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. This can result in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs, and difficulty digesting food.
You are born with CF and cannot catch it later in life, but one in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
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Why can't people with cystic fibrosis meet?
People with CF can’t meet one another due to cross-infection.
People with CF are vulnerable to different bacteria, or 'bugs'. While these bugs are usually harmless to people who don't have CF, they can settle in the lungs and be harmful for those who do. These bugs can be easily transmitted from one person with CF to another.
Meeting indoors, travelling with other people with CF, or spending time with them socially has a high level of risk. The risk of cross-infection increases the longer people with CF are in close proximity to one another.
In the UK, the advice is that people with CF should not meet face to face because bacteria can spread even when people are several metres apart.
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Can cystic fibrosis be cured?
CF has no cure. However, there are treatments that can help with the symptoms. These include:
- medications, such as CFTR modulators
- physiotherapy
- physical activity
- a healthy diet.
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Why do some people with cystic fibrosis cough up blood?
Sometimes people with CF can cough up blood. The medical term for this is haemoptysis.
Haemoptysis is often a sign of increased infection, as infection irritates small blood vessels and can cause them to bleed. While coughing up blood can be very scary, it is treated just like any lung infection, with antibiotics or airway clearance techniques. If haemoptysis is very severe, it might require hospitalisation.
Not all people with CF will experience haemoptysis, and most will only experience it to a small degree.
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Why do some people need transplants?
Some people with CF may need a transplant if standard treatments are no longer working as well as they should. The main transplants that people with CF may need are lungs or liver.
Transplant is not a cure for CF. Transplanted organs will not have CF and will never develop the condition. However, someone who’s had a transplant will still have CF in the rest of their body and may still need CF treatments.
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What are clinical trials?
A clinical trial is a research study involving human volunteers that tests new medical, surgical, or behavioural interventions.
Clinical trials help us understand more about CF and improving treatment and care.
The only way we can assess whether new treatments for CF work and are safe is through clinical trials.
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Talking about cystic fibrosis after watching a film or TV programme
Seeing cystic fibrosis represented in films, TV shows or books can bring up questions, worries or feelings that people affected by CF – especially young people – may not have thought about before.
For parents and families, these moments can be an opportunity to start conversations. Your child might ask questions that are difficult to answer, or raise topics about CF that you haven’t discussed before.
Everyone talks about sensitive subjects differently, but having space to share thoughts and ask questions can be really helpful.
Your CF team can also support you with any concerns.
Starting a conversation
Open questions can help someone share what they think and feel:
- “How does what you've seen or read compare to your experience of life with CF?”
- “What questions did it bring up for you?”
- “Did you find out anything new about CF? How did that make you feel?”
- “Have you talked about it with your friends? What questions do you think they might have about CF?”
- “Is there anything you’d like to talk about with your CF team?”
You can also share your own reactions to encourage discussion:
- “Some people might find that worrying. How did it make you feel?”
- “I found that part surprising. Did anything catch you off guard?”
- “I thought that part was portrayed really well. What did you think?”
Remembering that stories are not always like reality
Everyone’s experience of CF is different. Health, treatments, challenges and feelings about CF vary from person to person, so it’s natural that different people will respond to the same portrayal in different ways.
Films, TV shows and books often use drama and creative licence to tell a story. Talking about what you’ve seen can help separate what reflects real life with CF from what has been changed for the sake of the story.
It can also be useful to think about different characters’ experiences and perspectives. A character represents one person’s story – not everyone’s experience of CF. In real life, people’s feelings and experiences can change over time as they grow, age and face new situations.
The most important thing is creating a space where everyone feels able to ask questions and share their feelings.
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Further support
Our Helpline provides information, support and a listening ear to anyone affected by cystic fibrosis.
Call 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm
Email [email protected]
Chat with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Message us on WhatsApp on 07361 582053 -
How you can help
If a film or TV show has inspired you to learn more about cystic fibrosis, there are lots of ways you can make a difference. Every day, we're working towards a future where everyone with CF can live longer, healthier lives – but there's still much more to do.
Together, we can fund vital research, provide practical support, and help make sure everyone with CF can live a life without limits.
Five Feet Apart
Five Feet Apart is a film about two young people with cystic fibrosis who fall in love while managing the challenges of living with CF.
What is CF?
Cystic fibrosis, or CF, affects the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. There are over 11,000 people living with it in the UK.
Donate now
Together, we can fund vital research, provide practical support, and help make sure everyone with CF can live a life without limits – but we need your help.