ITV has announced further casting for Mavis Eccleston, a tragic and extraordinary drama based on the real-life story of a woman who survived a joint suicide pact with her husband of nearly 60 years before being arrested and charged with his murder.
Cast and Leading Roles
Downton Abbey's Penelope Wilton and The Crown's Jonathan Pryce will play the leading roles of Mavis and Dennis Eccleston. They are joined by Sian Brooke (Blue Lights) and Chris Reilly (Call the Midwife) as their adult children, Joy and Kevin. Jill Halfpenny (After the Flood) and Darrell D'Silva (Van Der Valk) portray Tracey and Kenton, the partners of Kevin and Joy. The cast also includes Rhashan Stone (Black Mirror) as barrister Alex Wyatt and Emma Stansfield (Waterloo Road) as Paula, a close friend of Joy's.
The Story Behind the Drama
The official description states: "Much to the anguish and upset of their adult children, Kevin and Joy, Mavis and Dennis decided to end their lives together when 81-year-old Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering. He'd had cancer twice before and knew the gruelling toll the invasive treatment would take on him and his family life." Truly heartbreaking events unfold as the family desperately try to dissuade Dennis and Mavis from taking a lethal cocktail of medication, but they remain steadfast in their belief that they should leave the world together.
Having taken an overdose together, both Dennis and Mavis were rushed to hospital, where Dennis sadly died. Mavis survived and was shortly interviewed by police, before her arrest. The synopsis concludes: "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."
Creative Team and Production
The four-part drama, which is currently filming in Bristol, has been developed by Grantchester star Tom Brittney alongside Indefinite Films. Acclaimed screenwriter Chris Lang, who created ITV's Unforgotten, has written the series. Each of the four episodes will be directed by BAFTA-winning Bruce Goodison, with Kate Cook producing. Mavis Eccleston, who was found not guilty in 2019, has given her blessing to the drama.
Tom Brittney previously said in a statement: "When I first read about Mavis and Dennis in 2018, I was struck by the extraordinary love at its heart and the profound injustice their family endured. I felt their story, told with care and humanity, could be a powerful drama and a worthy contribution to a debate that remains urgent and deeply complex. Having worked with ITV, I knew they'd be the perfect home as an institution that champions powerful, social justice stories."
Director Bruce Goodison added: "What excites me about this series is the towering humanity and dignity of this lively Cannock-based working-class family. There is joy in the pain this family suffered during this horrendous ordeal. They are the perfect lightning rod for the assisted dying debate."
Broadcast and Support
Mavis Eccleston will air on ITV and STV. When life is difficult, Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
