Michael Sheen leads the ensemble of Best Interests, a fresh new BBC drama.
The BBC series, written by the author of Help and His Dark Materials, portrays a family torn apart by a decision that no parent would ever want to make.
Sharon Horgan, 52, from Bad Sisters, and Michael, 53, from Quiz, play married couple Nicci and Andrew, who have two children Katie (Alison Oliver from Conversations With Friends) and Marnie (Niamh Moriarty).
Marnie has a life-threatening disease, and physicians believe it is best for her to die, but her loving family disagrees and launches a protracted court battle to reverse the decision.
The official synopsis reads: ‘This is a story of a family driven apart by having to make choices no parent would ever want to make. Andrew and Nicci’s daughter, Marnie, has a life-threatening condition.
‘The doctors believe it is in her best interests to be allowed to die, but her loving family disagree. And so begins a fight that will take them through every stage of a legal process, as they struggle to contemplate this huge decision. Who decides? And in whose best interests will it be?’
But is the drama based on a true story?
Is Best Interests based on a true story?
The series is not based on any specific actual event, but it is substantially influenced by numerous similar examples of parents who disagreed with doctors about what therapy would be in their child’s “best interests.”
Sharon, who plays Catastrophe, previously stated that she was ‘broken’ after reading the screenplay for the four-parter.
She added: ‘Best Interests broke me when I first read the script and then again after talking with Jack about it. Covid seems to have shone a closer light on the desperate inequalities that exist for our disabled community so this felt very timely. ‘
Meanwhile, Twilight star Michael remarked: ‘Jack Thorne is such an extraordinary writer and he has approached this incredibly important and urgent subject with humanity, honesty and humour.’
Best Interests continues 9pm on BBC One.
Source My Celebrity Life.
