Sheridan Smith to star in new BBC drama ‘Care’ on challenges of dementia

Actress Sheridan Smith will star in award-winning writer Jimmy McGovern’s new feature-length BBC drama called Care, it has been announced.

Smith will play a single mother-of-two whose life is transformed when her mother, played by Gavin And Stacey star Alison Steadman, suffers a stroke and develops dementia.

Being Human actress Sinead Keenan will also feature as Smith’s on-screen sister in the programme, which was inspired by the real-life experiences of McGovern’s co-writer Gillian Juckes.

Ahead of the show’s production McGovern said: “A great cast, a wonderful director and a superb co-writer! I’m really looking forward to making this.”

The programme will see Cilla star Smith’s character Jenny torn between having to care for her ailing mother Mary while managing to hold down a job at a supermarket and being a mother.

Care follows McGovern’s previous television drama series Broken, for which its star Sean Bean recently won the TV Bafta Award for Best Leading Actor for his portrayal of priest Father Michael Kerrigan.

Like Broken, Care will be shot and set in McGovern’s home city of Liverpool.

Controller of BBC Drama Piers Wenger 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.”

The BBC confirmed in their announcement that filming for Care will begin shortly.

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