BBC Two announces drama about 1993 Warrington bombing

From Digital Spy

The BBC has announced a drama focusing on the 1993 Warrington bombing called Mother's Day.

The 90-minute drama has been penned by Nick Leather (the writer of Broken and Murdered for Being Different), who lived in the town in his youth and was on his way there on the day of the attack.

Next week will mark 25 years since the bombing in Warrington town centre. Two children, 3-year-old Jonathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry, died, while dozens more were injured.

As the title implies, the drama will focus on the impact the events have on two mothers: Wendy Parry, who loses her son Tim in the bombing, and Susan McHugh, a Dublin mother-of-two who, feeling outraged by the attack, organises a huge peace rally in protest at the continuing Troubles.

Motherland and Bleak House's Anna Maxwell Martin (below) has signed on to play Wendy, while Line of Duty's Vicky McClure will play Susan.

Other cast members include McClure's Line of Duty co-star Daniel Mays as Tim's father Colin Parry, David Wilmot as Arthur McHugh, plus Simone Kirby and Conor Mullen.

"I know that many will recall the bravery and dignity shown by the families affected by the Warrington bombings," said Anna Maxwell Martin. "It's a real honour to be telling their story."

Meanwhile, Vicky McClure added: "Susan McHugh's actions back in 1993 remain just as inspirational today as they were 25 years ago. I feel truly privileged to play her in this incredibly moving new film."

Daniel Mays added: "Beyond privileged to be portraying the remarkable Colin Parry in this deeply moving new film for BBC Two. The dignity, courage and grace shown by the families affected by the Warrington bomb and beyond is truly humbling."

Mother's Day was commissioned by Piers Wegner, Controller of BBC Drama and former Doctor Who executive producer, who said that the drama has "great power and poignancy".

Filming has already started in Belfast, although we don't yet have an idea of when we can expect to see Mother's Day on screens.

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