The espionage thriller show, Homeland, received a lot of attention on its premiere in 2011. The unique storyline featured a suspicious CIA officer convinced that a Marine Corps Scout Sniper had turned on the government, and chaos ensued. But the most controversial aspect of the show was the inclusion of a mental illness as the main character’s trait.

Actress Claire Danes played Carrie Mathison, the CIA officer who suffered from bipolar disorder. The character’s illness became a central part of the plot, but it did not define the storyline. The actress also did her research on the disorder to showcase a realistic performance. Danes confessed she was relieved to discover that the sensitive issue was not treated as a gimmick by the show.

Unmasking the stigma: Homeland‘s courageous conversation starter

Homeland premiered in 2011 with a riveting storyline that filled the gap left by 24. The psychological-political thriller received the...