Anna Friel, Anna Maxwell Martin to Star in BBC Drama on “Impact of Grooming and Sexual Abuse”

Anna Friel, Anna Maxwell Martin to Star in BBC Drama on “Impact of Grooming and Sexual Abuse”

As a passionate fan of gripping, impactful dramas, I am absolutely thrilled by the news of Jimmy McGovern’s latest creation. His knack for tackling complex and sensitive subjects with unparalleled authenticity is truly commendable. With an ensemble cast that includes the brilliant Anna Friel, Bobby Schofield, Anna Maxwell Martin, David Threlfall, and Mark Womack, this drama promises to be a powerful exploration of a devastating issue.


On Thursday, the BBC debuted an original dramatic series penned by Jimmy McGovern, renowned for his works like “Time,” “Cracker,” and “The Street.” This new production will delve into the profound effects that grooming and sexual abuse have on a single family.

As a gamer, I’m excited to share that Anna Friel, known for her Emmy-winning roles in ‘Marcella’ and ‘Pushing Daisies’, who was also BAFTA-nominated for her work in ‘Broken’ with Jimmy McGovern, takes the lead in this upcoming project. Joining her is Bobby Schofield, recognized for his performances in ‘Time’, ‘Anne’, and ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’. We also have Anna Maxwell Martin, a BAFTA winner for shows like ‘Motherland’ and ‘A Spy Among Friends’, adding her talent to the cast. David Threlfall, another BAFTA winner known from ‘Nightsleeper’, ‘Shameless’, and ‘Housewife 49’, is also on board. Lastly, Mark Womack, renowned for his work in ‘The Responder’, ‘Playing the Field’, and ‘Moving On’, completes our star-studded lineup. This promises to be a fantastic production!

The BBC revealed that more details about the upcoming drama will be disclosed at an appropriate time. This 90-minute single drama, yet to be named, is being directed by Julia Ford and produced by LA Productions (Broken, Anthony, Care). It’s a gripping story set in Liverpool, focusing on the Mitchell family who are grappling with the aftermath of an act of abuse within their own ranks, committed by a family member who has recently been released from prison. The cast and crew assembled for this production have left producer, McGovern, thrilled and eager for its release.

Colin McKeown, the executive producer from LA Productions, commented: “Jimmy McGovern approaches this deeply complex and delicate topic with wisdom and compassion. It’s an honor to collaborate with him once more, having worked together on our successful single dramas like ‘Common’, ‘Care’, ‘Reg’, and ‘Anthony’.

Lindsay Salt, head of BBC Drama, stated: “Jimmy McGovern is one of our top playwrights, exceptionally skilled at portraying contemporary society. His upcoming film delicately explores the suffering caused by abuse and its far-reaching impact not just on the victim but also on the entire family. The fact that it’s being brought to life by such a talented cast and creative crew is another demonstration of McGovern’s writing prowess.

Read More

2024-09-12 13:24