ITV has announced further casting for ‘Mavis Eccleston’, the upcoming four-part drama telling the tragic and extraordinary 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.
The drama stars Dame Penelope Wilton (After Life, Downton Abbey, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and Sir Jonathan Pryce (Wolf Hall, Slow Horses, The Crown) in the leading roles of Mavis and Dennis Eccleston, with the series produced by Corestar Media and Indefinite Films.
They will now be joined by Sian Brooke (Blue Lights, Trying) and Chris Reilly (Slow Horses, Call The Midwife) as Dennis and Mavis’ children, Joy and Kevin. Jill Halfpenny (The Long Shadow, After the Flood) and Darrell D’Silva (Van Der Valk, Domina) play Tracey and Kenton, the partners of Kevin and Joy, whilst Rhashan Stone (All The Light We Cannot See, Black Mirror) takes on the role of Barrister Alex Wyatt, and Emma Stansfield (Waterloo Road, Hotel Portofino) plays Paula, a close friend of Joy’s.
Written by Chris Lang, whose credits include Unforgotten, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe and I, Jack Wright, ‘Mavis Eccleston’ explores the devastating events that followed Dennis’ terminal cancer diagnosis. Having had cancer twice before, Dennis declined treatment, knowing the gruelling toll it would take on both him and his family. Much to the anguish of their adult children, Kevin and Joy, Mavis and Dennis made the decision to end their lives together.
As the family desperately tries to dissuade them from taking a lethal cocktail of medication, Mavis and Dennis remain steadfast in their belief that they should leave the world together. After the overdose, both are rushed to hospital. Dennis dies, but Mavis survives. Following a confused and disorienting interview with hospital staff, the police are alerted and Mavis is arrested.
The drama follows Mavis and her family as they attempt to process the loss of Dennis, while also facing the very real prospect that Mavis could spend the rest of her life in prison.
The series is directed by BAFTA winner Bruce Goodison (Anne, Doctor Foster, Then Barbara Met Alan), with Kate Cook producing. ITV’s Director of Drama Polly Hill will oversee the production from the broadcaster’s side.
The project was brought to Corestar by Tom Brittney, best known on screen for Grantchester, who has collaborated on the development of the series alongside Indefinite Films after gaining the confidence and trust of the Eccleston family. Mavis Eccleston and her family have given their blessing to the drama and have been available to the production team throughout the script process.
Executive producers are Corestar Media Managing Director Richard Hart, Ross Murray and Tom Brittney, alongside Bruce Goodison for Indefinite Films, and Chris Lang.
‘Mavis Eccleston’ is currently filming in Bristol. Highroad Entertainment will handle international distribution and sales for the drama.
‘Mavis Eccleston’ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on ITV and STV, and stream on ITVX and STV Player 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