In 2017, ITV released the harrowing four-part series 'Little Boy Blue,' based on the real-life murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Croxteth, Liverpool. The drama follows the police investigation and the profound impact on the community.
The Real-Life Tragedy
Rhys Jones was shot and killed while walking home from football practice in August 2007. He was crossing a pub car park when a hooded teenager on a bike shot him. Caught in crossfire between gang members, Rhys died shortly after being taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
The Cast and Production
Stephen Graham plays Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly, who led the team that brought Rhys's murderer to justice. Sinéad Keenan and Brían F. O'Byrne portray Rhys's parents, Melanie and Steve Jones. Some scenes were filmed outside Liverpool out of respect for the family and local community.
Family's Involvement
Rhys's parents were heavily involved in creating the drama to honour him a decade after his death. They told the LiverpoolEcho: 'It is very important to us, and our other son, Owen, to keep his memory alive and for people to understand how important he was to us. But beyond this, we saw this as an opportunity to let the public see what happens to a family like ours in a situation like this.' They added: 'We spoke very openly to the programme makers about what we went through because we wanted to let Sean Mercer and the others involved in Rhys' murder know that our sentence never ends.'
Viewer Reactions
Fans have praised the series. One person said: 'Edge of your seat stuff and it's real! Pretty much every British person watching this already knows what's going to happen... but you'll still be hootin' and a hollerin' as events unfold and the journey to justice is completed.' Another shared: 'A truly tough watch, but well worth it. This is absolutely heartbreaking to watch, I defy anybody to watch this without shedding a tear.' A third commented: 'Exquisite drama. An utterly captivating drama, perfectly executed over four episodes with not a single flaw to be found.' Another wrote: 'Top quality drama. An adaptation of a heartbreaking true story that has you hooked early on. Stellar cast. Believable performances that draw you in. British drama at its best.'
'Little Boy Blue' is available to watch on ITVX.
