Filming Begins On BBC 2 Factual Drama 'Mother's Day'

Filming has commenced in Belfast on BBC 2's new factual drama 'Mother's Day'.

Mother's Day follows the events, aftermath and public response to the Warrington bombing of March 1993. The story primarily focuses on two ordinary women living on either side of the Irish Sea who are brought together in the wake of the tragedy.

It is written by Nick Leather ('Murdered For Being Different', 'Broken') , and stars Anna Maxwell Martin ('Motherland', 'Good Omens') and Vicky McClure ('Line of Duty', 'The Replacement') as the two leading women.

Ms Maxwell Martin plays Wendy Parry, the mother of 12 year old Tim Parry who lost his life in the attack, and Ms McClure plays Susan McHugh, the Dublin mother of two so outraged by the loss of young life that she organised one of the largest peace rallies in Irish history.

Other supporting cast members include Daniel Mays ('Against The Law','Rogue One') and David Wilmot ('The Alienist','Black Sails').

Writer Nick Leather said: "As someone who grew up in Warrington and was on my way into town on the day of the bombing, bringing this astonishing story to the screen has been a career-long mission. Over the last year, I've been fortunate to work with a wonderfully supportive team at the BBC, including the director Fergus O'Brien, and have found the Parry and McHugh families to be even more inspiring than I did as a kid. I hope people are as moved and affected by this drama as we have been making it."

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, said: "It is with great power and poignancy that Mother's Day looks at how the worst of tragedies can affect both those directly involved and communities further afield, inspiring them to act. We're immensely proud to tell this story."



Aysha Rafaele, Executive Producer for BBC Studios, added: "From my previous work with Nick Leather and Fergus O'Brien, I can't think of a better team to bring this powerful story to the screen. Working closely with the real families involved, Nick has written a remarkable script and it's a real joy to assemble such a first rate cast to play these roles."

Mother's Day (1x90’) is produced by BBC Studios for BBC Two, and will be directed by Fergus O'Brien ('Against The Law') and produced by Scott Bassett (Murdered For Being Different). It was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two. Executive Producers are Tommy Bulfin for the BBC and Aysha Rafaele for BBC Studios.