“A harrowing real-life story”: Mavis Eccleston is ITV’s “heartbreaking” new drama with a “familiar” cast

From Mr Bates vs The Post Office to I Fought the Law, ITV is the master of real-life dramas and the broadcaster is proving it by bringing us a new one in the form of Mavis Eccleston. The heartbreaking drama tells the harrowing true story of a couple's suicide pact, which took an extraordinary turn when one of them survived. With a familiar cast featuring Downton Abbey's Dame Penelope Wilton, Slow Horses' Jonathan Pryce and The Feud's Jill Halfpenny, it's a series that's set to get everybody talking.

The upcoming four-part drama will see Penelope play the titular Mavis Eccleston, while Jonathan steps into the shoes of her husband of almost 60 years, Dennis, who received a terminal cancer diagnosis and refused any treatment. When the couple made the decision to end Dennis's suffering and their lives together, the last thing either of them expected was that Mavis would be revived - and later charged with her husband's murder.

With filming on Mavis Eccleston currently underway, here’s everything you need to know about the series ahead of its arrival, including the real story behind it, the cast and how to watch it.

What is Mavis Eccleston about?

The ITV drama will star Penelope Wilton (pictured below in Downton Abbey) as the real-life Mavis Eccleston, who made a suicide pact with her 81-year-old husband Dennis Eccleston (Jonathan Pryce, pictured above in Slow Horses). When Dennis is diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, he declines treatment, having had cancer twice and being acutely aware of the toll the treatment would take on him and his family life.

Their adult children, Kevin (Chris Reilly) and Joy (Sian Brooke), try to dissuade them from their suicide pact but they remain steadfast in their belief that they should leave the world together. ITV's official synopsis continues: “Having taken an overdose together, they are both rushed to the hospital, where Dennis passes away, but Mavis survives. Following a confused and disorienting interview with hospital staff, the Police are alerted, and Mavis is arrested.

"In the midst of such tragedy, Mavis and her family, whilst trying to process the grief of having lost their father, now face the very real prospect of their mother spending the rest of her life in prison."

The starry cast also includes Jill Halfpenny and Darrell D’Silva in the roles of Tracey and Kenton, the partners of Kevin and Joy. Rhashan Stone and Nathalie Armin will star alongside them as Barristers Alex Wyatt and Rebbecca Fuller with Emma Stansfield rounding off the cast playing Paula, a close friend of Joy’s.

Star Penelope Wilton says of the series: “Mavis was devoted to her husband, Dennis, their enduring love for each other clear to see to all. 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.”

Her co-star Jonathan 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."

What happened to the real-life Mavis Eccleston?

In 2015, Dennis Eccleston was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. He and his wife, Mavis, who were married for almost 60 years, decided to take their own lives in their Staffordshire home. The couple were found by their family and rushed to hospital and, while Dennis passed away, Mavis survived.

Mavis made a full recovery, but the hospital alerted the police, who arrested her and charged her with his murder. During a two-week trial at Stafford Crown Court in September 2019, a jury took four hours to find her not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter. The case sparked calls from family and campaign group Dignity in Dying for a change in the law on assisted dying.

Who’s in the cast of Mavis Eccleston?

The cast of Mavis Eccleston includes:

• Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, After Life) as Mavis Eccleston
• Jonathan Pryce (Slow Horses, Wolf Hall) as Dennis Eccleston
• Sian Brooke (Blue Lights, Trying) as Joy
• Chris Reilly (Slow Horses, Call The Midwife) as Kevin.
• Jill Halfpenny (The Long Shadow) as Tracey
• Darrell D’Silva (Van Der Valk, Domina) as Kenton
• Rhashan Stone (Black Mirror)as Alex Wyatt
• Nathalie Armin (Maigret, Showtrial) as Rebbecca Fuller
• Emma Stansfield (Waterloo Road, Hotel Portofino) as Paula

How can I watch Mavis Eccleston?

ITV hasn’t yet shared a release date for Mavis Eccleston, but we do know that filming is underay. As soon as we have a confirmed release date, we’ll update you here.

What other ITV dramas can I watch now?

For another drama with a serious shock factor, we’d recommend Playing Nice, starring James Norton. The series follows two couples who learn they've been raising children that aren’t biologically theirs due to a hospital mix-up - and it's just the beginning of a truly horrifying ordeal. Playing Nice is available to watch on ITVX. If you're a Sheridan Smith fan, we'd recommend No Return. Sheridan plays a mother who embarks on what should be a relaxing holiday with her family. But when her teenage son, Noah (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) innocently accepts an invitation to a party, little does he know that he’ll soon be accused of a serious sexual assault. You can watch No Return on ITVX.