Oscar-nominee Jonathan Pryce and Downton Abbey star Penelope Wilton are teaming on an ITV drama about a woman who survived a joint suicide pact with the love of her life and was subsequently arrested and charged with his murder.
Mavis Eccleston is based on the real-life story of the titular character, who will be played by Wilton. Pryce is her husband, Dennis. Chris Lang (The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe) is writing and Bruce Goodison is (Doctor Foster) directing.
Grantchester star Tom Brittney first met Eccleston and bought the story of her ordeal to producer Corestar Media, at which point it acquired dramatic rights, initially titling the show Goodnight Darling. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel author Deborah Moggach wrote the first script for the development.
Much to the anguish and upset of their adult children, Kevin and Joy, Mavis and Dennis Eccleston decided to end their lives together when 81-year-old Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering. They both tried overdosing but Mavis Eccleston didn’t die. She was tried for her husband’s murder and acquitted in 2019. Mavis Eccleston and her family have given their blessing to the drama and have been available to Lang and the production team throughout the script process, ITV said.
The show is timely. Controversial legislation that would legalize assisted dying in the UK is currently making its way slowly through UK parliament. Mavis Eccleston therefore represents ITV’s next big campaining drama, having been behind the smash hit Mr Bates vs the Post Office and prepping a show on the contaminated blood scandal.
Pryce is a huge get for ITV and Mavis Eccleston is thought to be his first-ever show for the public broadcaster. He was Oscar nominated for The Two Popes opposite Anthony Hopkins and has starred in the likes of The Crown, Slow Horses and Game of Thrones. Wilton is probably best known for appearing in ITV’s biggest ever show, Downton Abbey, in which she played Isobel Crawley.
“This is a powerful and timely story of an extraordinary, devoted couple as they face the painful dilemma of assisted dying,” said Pryce. “We will hopefully honor their deep love for each other and their bravery.“
Wilton added: “Mavis was devoted to her husband, Dennis, their enduring love for each other clear to see to all. They lived life on their own terms and when the time came, she wanted to respect his wishes. The fact she then faced the very real prospect of spending the rest of her life in prison for acting out of love is simply unimaginable. To be asked to bring her experience to life is a huge responsibility and true honour.”
The drama will be backed by production financing from Calculus Media, with international sales and distribution handled by nascent sales house High Road Entertainment, run by James Durie and Richard Tulk-Hart. Corestar Media and Indefinite Films are producing. Polly Hill will oversee for ITV. The EPs are Corestar Managing Director Richard Hart, Ross Murray and Brittney, and Goodison for Indefinite. Lang is also EP.
“This is a poignant and powerful real-life story and I’m indebted to the team at Corestar and Indefinite Films for entrusting Mavis Eccleston to ITV where important, socially relevant stories can be told and brought to the attention of a mass audience,” added Hill.