ITV has commissioned ‘Mavis Eccleston‘, a new four-part drama based on the tragic real-life story of a woman who survived a joint suicide pact with her husband of nearly 60 years, only to be arrested and charged with his murder afterwards.
The drama stars Penelope Wilton (After Life, Downton Abbey, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and Jonathan Pryce (Wolf Hall, Slow Horses, The Crown) as Mavis and Dennis Eccleston. It comes from writer Chris Lang, with Bruce Goodison directing all four episodes, and is produced by Corestar Media and Bristol-based Indefinite Films.
Set around one family’s devastating ordeal, ‘Mavis Eccleston’ tells the story of Mavis and Dennis after Dennis, diagnosed with terminal cancer, decides he does not want to go through further treatment. Together, the couple make the heartbreaking decision to end their lives, despite the anguish it causes their adult children, Kevin and Joy. After taking an overdose together, both are rushed to hospital. Dennis dies, but Mavis survives, leading to a confused interview with hospital staff, police involvement, and Mavis being arrested.
It is clearly a story rooted in the assisted dying debate, but by the sound of ITV’s description, the drama is also aiming to centre the love story at the heart of it. That emotional angle seems to be what attracted many of the creatives involved, including Lang himself.
Commented Tom Brittney:
“When I first read about Mavis and Dennis in 2018, I was struck by the extraordinary love at its heart and the profound injustice their family endured. I felt their story, told with care and humanity, could be a powerful drama and a worthy contribution to a debate that remains urgent and deeply complex. Having worked with ITV, I knew they’d be the perfect home as an institution that champions powerful, social justice stories.”
Discussing what drew him to the project, Chris Lang said:
“From the moment Mavis and Dennis’s extraordinary story was told to me, I knew I had to write the script – but maybe not for the reasons one might suspect. Although their story does ask profound questions about how we live and end our lives, for me, their story was always about something simpler and more enduring. For me this was always about love. Unconditional love.”
Commented Bruce Goodison:
“What excites me about this series is the towering humanity and dignity of this lively Cannock-based working-class family. There is joy in the pain this family suffered during this horrendous ordeal. They are the perfect lightning rod for the assisted dying debate.”
Wilton also spoke about the responsibility of taking on the role:
“Mavis was devoted to her husband, Dennis, their enduring love for each other clear to see to all. They lived life on their own terms and when the time came, she wanted to respect his wishes. The fact she then faced the very real prospect of spending the rest of her life in prison for acting out of love is simply unimaginable. To be asked to bring her experience to life is a huge responsibility and true honour.”
Pryce added:
“This is a powerful and timely story of an extraordinary, devoted couple as they face the painful dilemma of assisted dying. We will hopefully honour their deep love for each other and their bravery.”
ITV’s Director of Drama Polly Hill said:
“This is a poignant and powerful real-life story and I’m indebted to the team at Corestar and Indefinite Films for entrusting Mavis Eccleston to ITV where important, socially relevant stories can be told and brought to the attention of a mass audience. It’s ultimately a love story and I’m honoured that Penelope Wilton and Jonathan Pryce have agreed to play Mavis and Dennis.”
Behind the scenes, Kate Cook produces, with executive producers Richard Hart, Ross Murray and Tom Brittney for Corestar Media, Bruce Goodison for Indefinite Films, and Chris Lang also serving as executive producer. The series is backed by Calculus Media, while international sales and distribution will be handled by Highroad Entertainment.
The real Mavis Eccleston and her family have given their blessing to the production and have been involved throughout the script process, which should hopefully help ‘Mavis Eccleston’ avoid turning a deeply painful real story into something more exploitative than it needs to be.
‘Mavis Eccleston‘ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on ITV in the UK. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
Login to Geektown