ITV has announced further cast for recently commissioned drama, Mavis Eccleston, the real-life story of a woman who survived a joint suicide pact with the love of her life and husband of nearly 60 years and was subsequently arrested and charged with his murder.
The four-part drama starring Penelope Wilton (After Life, Downton Abbey, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and Jonathan Pryce (Wolf Hall, Slow Horses, The Crown) in the leading roles of Mavis and Dennis Eccleston and is being produced by Corestar Media and Indefinite Films.
The leads will be joined by Sian Brooke (Blue Lights, Trying) and Chris Reilly (Slow Horses, Call The Midwife) playing Dennis and Mavis’ children Joy and Kevin. Jill Halfpenny (The Long Shadow, Afterthe Flood) and Darrell D’Silva (Van Der Valk, Domina) take on the roles of Tracey and Kenton, thepartners of Kevin and Joy. Rhashan Stone (All The Light We Cannot See, Black Mirror) and Emma Stansfield (Waterloo Road, Hotel Portofino) round off the cast playing Barrister Alex Wyatt and Paula, a close friend of Joy’s.
Screenwriter, Chris Lang (Unforgotten, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, I Jack Wright) has written the series and each of the four episodes will be directed by BAFTA winning Bruce Goodison (Anne, Doctor Foster, Then Barbara Met Alan), with Kate Cook producing (The Cure, Glasgow Girls, The Watchman).
Having gained the confidence and trust of the Eccleston family, Tom Brittney, known for his on screen role in ITV’s Grantchester brought the project to Corestar and has collaborated on the development of the series alongside Indefinite Films.
ITV’s Director of Drama Polly Hill will oversee the production from the broadcaster’s perspective. The series will air on ITV, STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
Mavis Eccleston and her family have given their blessing to the drama and have been available to the production team throughout the script process.
The executive producers are Corestar Media Managing Director, Richard Hart, Ross Murray and Tom Brittney alongside Bruce Goodison for Indefinite Films, as well as Chris Lang.
Mavis Eccleston is currently filming in Bristol and Highroad Entertainment will handle international distribution and sales for the drama.
Jon Creamer
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