Filming has started on Mother’s Day, a new factual drama for BBC Two about the 1993 Warrington bombing.
The drama is written by Nick Leather (Murdered For Being Different, Broken) and stars Anna Maxwell Martin, Vicky McClure, Daniel Mays and David Wilmot.
It focuses on two ordinary women living either side of the Irish Sea who are brought together in the wake of the tragedy.
Maxwell Martin (Motherland, Good Omens) plays Wendy Parry, the mother of 12-year-old Tim Parry, who lost his life in the attack which left two boys dead and many others injured.
McClure (Line of Duty, The Replacement) plays Susan McHugh, the Dublin mother of two who is so outraged by the loss of young life that she organises one of the largest peace rallies in Irish history.
Maxwell Martin said: “I know that many will recall the bravery and dignity shown by the families affected by the Warrington bombings. It’s a real honour to be telling their story.”
McClure added: “Susan McHugh’s actions back in 1993 remain just as inspirational today as they were 25 years ago. I feel truly privileged to play her in this incredibly moving new film.”
Mother’s Day (1×90’) is produced by BBC Studios for BBC Two, and will be directed by Fergus O’Brien (Against The Law) and produced by Scott Bassett (Murdered For Being Different). It was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two. The executive Producers are Tommy Bulfin for the BBC and Aysha Rafaele for BBC Studios.
Writer Leather said: “As someone who grew up in Warrington and was on my way into town on the day of the bombing, bringing this astonishing story to the screen has been a career-long mission.
“Over the last year, I’ve been fortunate to work with a wonderfully supportive team at the BBC, including the director Fergus O’Brien, and have found the Parry and McHugh families to be even more inspiring than I did as a kid. I hope people are as moved and affected by this drama as we have been making it.”
Wenger, the Controller of BBC Drama, added: “It is with great power and poignancy that Mother’s Day looks at how the worst of tragedies can affect both those directly involved and communities further afield, inspiring them to act. We’re immensely proud to tell this story.”
