This article contains discussion of subjects including suicide that some readers may find upsetting.
Mavis Eccleston, an upcoming ITV drama about joint suicide pact partners, has expanded its cast, with Sian Brooke and Jill Halfpenny, among the new additions.
The series, which comes from Unforgotten and I, Jack Wright creator Chris Lang, is based on the “tragic and extraordinary” real-life story of Mavis and Dennis Eccelston, a couple who made a suicide pact that took an extraordinary turn when one of them survived – and was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.
Brooke (Blue Lights) is set to join the cast as Mavis and Dennis’s daughter Joy, and she’ll be joined by Chris Reilly (Wolf Hall) as their son, Kevin.
Halfpenny (The Long Shadow) and Darrell D’Silva (Domina) will play Tracey and Kenton, the partners of Kevin and Joy.
Also joining the cast are Rhashan Stone (Black Mirror) and Emma Stansfield (Waterloo Road) as Barrister Alex Wyatt and Paula, a close friend of Joy’s.
They join After Life’s Penelope Wilton and Slow Horses’ Jonathan Pryce, who were previously announced as the leads.
The series is being produced by Corestar Media and Indefinite Films, penned by Lang and helmed by Bruce Goodison (Anne).
The show will follow Mavis and Dennis as – much to the anguish of their adult children, Kevin and Joy – they decide to end their lives together when 81-year old Dennis receives a cancer diagnosis and declines treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering.
“Having taken an overdose together, they are both rushed to the hospital, where Dennis passes away, but Mavis survives,” the official plot synopsis teases. “Following a confused and disorienting interview with hospital staff, the Police are alerted, and Mavis is arrested.
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“In the midst of such tragedy, Mavis and her family, whilst trying to process the grief of having lost their father, now face the very real prospect of their mother spending the rest of her life in prison.”
For information and support, please visit Samaritans or SOS Silence of Suicide.
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The series will air on ITV, STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
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