Sheridan Smith is to star in a Jimmy McGovern-written drama.
The ‘Moorside’ actress has joined the cast of ‘Care’, a new 90-minute BBC One drama which will see her play Jenny, a mother-of two who relies heavily on her mother Mary (Alison Steadman) to help bring up her kids after her husband Dave departs.
But Jenny and her sister Claire’s (Sinead Keenan) worlds turn upside down when Mary suffers a huge stroke and develops dementia.
Jenny will be torn between her mother’s illness and her own life but discovers a different approach is possible.
Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama, said: "It’s always an honour to work with Jimmy McGovern, here joining forces with Gillian Juckes on her first script for a television drama.
"Together they tell a truly remarkable story of one woman’s battle to get the best care for her mother.
"The cast, led by the wonderful Sheridan Smith, will portray this poignant story with the warmth and gravitas it deserves."
Jimmy – who created crime drama ‘Cracker’ – praised the "great cast" and is excited about teaming up with "superb co-writer" Gillian Juckes, and "wonderful director" David Blair.
Colin McKeown and Jimmy will executive produce the drama, alongside Lucy Richer.
The show will start filming in and around Liverpool soon.
Sheridan looks set to have a busy couple of years as she will also play adult movie star Jolene in upcoming Channel 4 series ‘Adult Material’, which will start filming in 2019.
Writer Lucy Kirkwood recently said: "I just think she’s extraordinary – I’ve worked with her before and have the most enormous crush on her.
"In the beginning I worried that she was a bit young for the role, but I also found it hard to imagine anyone else having her combination of soul and really precise technique.
"The character of Jolene is fairly informed by her, so like Sheridan she’s warm and rude and funny and sharp."
Sheridan Smith joins Jimmy McGovern drama
