Category: TV
Drama
Date: 14.09.2004
Printable version
Sarah Lancashire
is to play Angela Cannings, the mother wrongfully convicted of killing
two of her babies, in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE's upcoming drama Cherished.
Μύ
Based on the true story of Angela Cannings, who was
tried for the murder of her babies and spent two years in prison battling
for justice before her conviction was eventually quashed, Cherished
also stars Tim Spall as Angela's husband Terry.
Μύ
"I'm delighted to be playing the part of Angela,"
says actress Sarah Lancashire.
Μύ
"When I read the script I was very moved. The
loss of any child is a dreadful thing, the loss of three is unimaginable.
Μύ
"Whilst any parent could relate to the anguish
that Terry and Angela must have felt I cannot comprehend the strength
it must have taken to sustain Angela through even a part of a life sentence.
Theirs is a remarkable story."
Angela's acquittal created a landmark in legal history, resulting in
a change of the law.
Μύ
Since then, nobody can be convicted in a criminal case
on expert witness alone without proper physical evidence, such as that
which would be required in any murder case.
Μύ
Following the impact of the Cannings judgement, a review
into other possible miscarriages of justice has revealed that up to
two dozen women might have been wrongly convicted. This review is ongoing.
Μύ
A new national protocol to ensure that all sudden infant
deaths are investigated properly was announced last week following an
inquiry chaired by Helena Kennedy QC.
Μύ
Angela Cannings says: "We're still suffering the
aftermath of this whole episode. This film is for Jade, my daughter's
benefit, so when she is older she can see what it was all about.
Μύ
"The general public would assume that we've got
back together and that's it. But there is an awful lot of healing. It
doesn't just heal overnight. Even now I sit and think why we had to
go through all that.
Μύ
"We've had quite a lot to do with the scriptwriter,
the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has been very good. They've dealt with us very fairly."
Μύ
Angela was convicted of the murder of two of her children
with no physical evidence.
Μύ
For the first time the drama reveals key behind-the
scenes action where the decision to charge Angela was based purely on
the opinion of three experts, including the now-discredited Professor
Sir Roy Meadow.
Μύ
It was his statistic that stated there was a 73 million
to one chance of two children in the same family dying of cot death.
Μύ
Sue Hogg, executive producer, says: "Angela was
effectively living a prison sentence even before she was convicted because
she had to move out of the family home and had only limited access to
her daughter Jade.
Μύ
"Eventually, she was allowed five visits a week
for two hours and only in the presence of a social worker.
Μύ
"But the film doesn't demonise the social services
or the police. They are just people in society doing a very tough job,
but a tough job which, when there is a miscarriage of justice, can have
terrible consequences."
Μύ
This is the third Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ cross-genre collaboration between
the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Drama and Current Affairs departments, following Holy Cross
and Dirty War.
Μύ
Filming will begin in the autumn of this year.
Μύ
Cherished is written by Gwyneth Hughes, who wrote Blood
Strangers.
Μύ
Sue Hogg and Simon Lewis are executive producers, Polly
Hill is the producer and Jim Booth the factual producer, with John Sweeney
as consultant.
Μύ
