Mavis Eccleston: 'Powerful' ITV drama tackles a 'heartbreaking' assisted dying case that saw a woman charged with murder
It's based on a "tragic and extraordinary" true story
Mavis Eccleston, a “powerful” and “timely” new ITV drama from the writer of Unforgotten, will tackle a real-life assisted dying case that saw a woman charged with murder.
It’s proving to be a big year for ITV dramas based on true stories. We’ve already had The Lady, which tackled Fergie’s killer ex-dresser Jane Andrews.
Lynley star Daniel Mays then played John Worboys in Believe Me, a drama about the “black cab rapist”.
Now, ITV is developing another real-life drama – and it’s based on the “heartbreaking” story of Mavis and Dennis Eccleston.
What is Mavis Eccleston about?
Mavis Eccleston is based on the real-life story of a widow forced to face a murder trial after surviving a pact to take her life with her late husband, Dennis.
It will tell the “tragic and extraordinary real-life story of a woman who survived a joint suicide pact with the love of her life and husband of nearly 60 years”. She was subsequently arrested and charged with his murder.
Dennis had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2015, at the age of 79. As told in court (via BBC News), he then made the decision not to receive any further treatment, nor did he wish to be resuscitated by medical staff.
Is it based on a true story?
Yes, Mavis Ecclestone is based on a devastating true story. In February 2018, Mavis and Dennis agreed to take their own lives together. After his terminal cancer diagnosis, he had hoped to travel to Switzerland (where assisted dying is legal), but he was too unwell to travel.
“Our mum did not wish to live without him, her husband, the love of her life. And so she took an overdose [of prescription medicine] together with him,” her daughter, Joy Munns, said.
They were later found at their bungalow in Huntington, and rushed to hospital. Mavis survived. However, more tragedy followed. In the days following Dennis’ death, police charged Mavis with Dennis’ murder. She was accused of giving him a lethal dose without his consent.
Thankfully, she was ultimately cleared of all charges. Mavis’ family have since campaigned with Dignity in Dying and lobbied for a change to UK law.
Who plays Mavis and Dennis Eccleston?
Penelope Wilton will play Mavis Eccleston in the new drama. Viewers will recognise her from her roles in Downton Abbey, After Life, and Calendar Girls.
Jonathan Pryce, an Oscar-nominated actor who’s starred in Game of Thrones, The Crown, and the James Bond franchise, will play Dennis.
Wilton said: “Mavis was devoted to her husband, Dennis. Their enduring love for each other was clear for all to see. 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.”
Pryce added: “This is a powerful and timely story of an extraordinary, devoted couple as they face the painful dilemma of assisted dying. We will hopefully honour their deep love for each other and their bravery.”
Who else in the Mavis Eccleston cast?
ITV has now announced further casting for the upcoming drama Mavis Eccleston. These include Blue Lights favourite Siân Brooke, and Call the Midwife’s Chris Reilly as Dennis and Mavis’ children Joy and Kevin.
After the Flood’s Jill Halfpenny and Domina’s Darrell D’Silva take on the roles of Tracey and Kenton, the partners of Kevin and Joy.
Finding Alice’s Rhashan Stone and Waterloo Road’s Emma Stansfield round off the cast playing Barrister Alex Wyatt and Paula, a close friend of Joy’s.
How many episodes is it?
Mavis Eccleston will be four parts of an hour each.
Polly Hill, ITV’s director of drama, called it a “poignant and powerful real life story”. She said: “It’s ultimately a love story and I’m honoured that Penelope Wilton and Jonathan Pryce have agreed to play Mavis and Dennis.”
When is it out?
It’s unclear when Mavis Eccleston will be released, as it doesn’t have an official release date.
Cast and crew are currently filming in Bristol, so we’re not expecting it to air until 2027.
The series will air on ITV, STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
Who wrote Mavis Eccleston?
Chris Lang penned Mavis Eccleston. He also wrote Unforgotten, A Mother’s Son, and The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe.
“From the moment Mavis and Dennis’s extraordinary story was told to me, I knew I had to write the script. But, maybe not for the reasons one might suspect,” he said in a statement.
“Although their story does ask profound questions about how we live and end our lives, for me, their story was always about something simpler and more enduring. For me this was always about love. Unconditional love.”
Not only have Mavis Eccleston and her family given Lang and ITV their blessing, but they’ve made themselves available to the production team.
Executive producer Tom Brittney, who worked on Grantchester, said: “When I first read about Mavis and Dennis in 2018, I was struck by the extraordinary love at its heart and the profound injustice their family endured.
“I felt their story, told with care and humanity, could be a powerful drama and a worthy contribution to a debate that remains urgent and deeply complex. Having worked with ITV, I knew they’d be the perfect home as an institution that champions powerful, social justice stories.”
Read more: The best dramas to stream on ITVX now
