Christopher
Eccleston and Emma Cunniffe star in Flesh and Blood, a film for
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO
Christopher Eccleston and Emma Cunniffe star in Flesh and Blood,
a new single drama for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO written by Peter Bowker, which tells
the story of a father whose world is turned upside down when he
discovers the truth about his origins.
Flesh
and Blood is a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ/Red Production directed by Julian Farino (Our
Mutual Friend, Bob and Rose, 7 Up 2000) and produced by Derek Wax
(Sparkhouse).
It
will be shown as part of the What's
Your Problem season on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO - a season of factual programmes
and drama commissioned by the channel's controller Jane Root, based
on issues of disability.
Adopted
at birth, Joe Broughton (Christopher Eccleston) is overwhelmed by
an obsessive desire to trace his real parents after the birth of
his daughter Marie.
When
he discovers that his mother and father are learning disabled and
never knew they had a child, his world is blown apart.
For
Joe as well as his wife Cath (Emma Cunniffe), it's the beginning
of a rollercoaster journey which challenges not only his preconceptions
about disability, but also his sense of his own identity.
The
key roles of Joe's birth mother and father - Janet and Harry - are
played by Dorothy Cockin and Peter Kirby, who were cast after an
extensive search among people with learning disabilities in the
north west of England.
Flesh
and Blood also features Barbara Marten (Bob and Rose) and Stephen
Graham (Snatch, Gangs of New York).
Executive
Producer Laura Mackie says: "Peter Bowker adapted his script
in response to the casting of Peter and Dorothy to reflect elements
of their own lives.
"They
have no screen acting experience, but their life experience helped
shape the film. It was an unusual but highly collaborative production
process which continued with Peter Bowker's presence on set during
filming.
"It's
also a unique co-venture - whilst it is being made with Red Production
Company, it is the first collaboration between the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Drama and
Factual & Learning Departments, and the Disability Programme
Unit."
Peter
Bowker, whose credits include Undercover Heart (nominated for a
BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series) and Christmas Carol, says: "In
Flesh and Blood I wanted to explore what it feels like to believe
that you've got no history, that your history starts with you. How
would it affect you, how far would it throw you?"
Christopher
Eccleston's television credits include Strumpet, Linda Green, Clocking
Off, Our Friends in the North and Cracker, as well as The Others,
Elizabeth and Shallow Grave in the cinema.
Emma
Cunniffe's credits include The Whistle-Blower, The Innocents, All
The King's Men, Great Expectations and The Lakes.
Flesh
and Blood is funded by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Disability Programme
Unit.
The
executive producers are Nicola Shindler (Red Production Company)
and Laura Mackie and Alex Holmes (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ).
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