Lockdown (2020 TV series)

This scripted series follows six teenaged friends as they work together to solve mysteries in their neighborhood during the social distancing era. Shot entirely via webcam and smartphone from the actors' homes and neighborhoods, the series is a suspenseful look at how young people stay in touch while having to stay away, and the story unfolds almost in real-time as the friend group works together – from a distance – to solve the mystery, while also exploring their own anxieties and frustrations about life during a pandemic.

In this initial ten-episode season, which takes place during days 1 through 60 of a Covid-19 lockdown, Nira overhears what sounds like a woman's scream one night from her neighbor's house. As she enlists the help of her friends Aiden, Chris, Emi and Sam - along with Emi's crush Luke, who lives on the other side of Nira's neighbor - new suspicious events, including late night digging and creepy notes - thicken the plot. As they work together remotely and use technological tools to solve the mystery, they also support each other emotionally through the pandemic and the experience of being in quarantine. Storylines include Luke's grandmother at risk for Covid-19 in her retirement community, Sam's nurse father quarantining away from the family, Emi being verbally attacked for her Asian ethnicity, Aiden's and Sam's efforts in the online video game Bielzemor, a love triangle and bourgeoning romantic feelings between Luke and Nira as well as between Emi and Chris.^[12]

In the six-episode second season that takes place days 61 through 120 of lockdown, the six teens reckon with a growing racial justice movement following the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, the shooting of Breonna Taylor, and others. After Sam organizes a local Black Lives Matter march, Chris' family's restaurant - which had been preemptively boarded up ahead of Sam's community march - is vandalized with graffiti. A masked figure calling themselves Question Mark Face releases a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack and promises for future attacks, while local real estate agent Mary Lewis blames Sam for the tagging. As Question Mark Face continues to target local businesses, the six teens work together to investigate the perpetrator's identity and motive. Throughout the season, the show explores how each of the main characters are responding to the George Floyd protests and Black Lives Matter movement, including Sam's growing social activism, Chris' focus on allyship, and Emi's use of fashion to make her voice heard. Additional storylines include Sam's crush on fellow gamer Harley, the socioeconomic impact of the lockdowns on families, and the differing philosophies on how to make a difference between Sam, her friends and her cousin Asha.^{[citation needed]}

• Saara Chaudry as Nira
• Arista Arhin as Sam
• Amanda Cheung as Emi
• Dorian Giordano as Aiden
• Edison Grant as Luke
• Tomaso Sanelli as Chris

• Jackie Richardson as Luke's Grandma (seasons 1-2)
• Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves as Aunt Raina (seasons 1-2)
• Michael Brown as Sam's Dad (seasons 1-2)
• Jayne Eastwood as Mrs. Eastwood (seasons 1-2)
• Emaan Chaudry as Kumari (season 1)
• Sean Patrick Dolan as Jeremy (season 2)
• Katie Griffin as Mary Lewis (season 2)
• Kiki Hamill as Asha (season 2)
• Andrew Jackson as Bernard (season 2)
• Lex Mayson as Harley (season 2)