ITV has announced further casting for a tragic and extraordinary drama that's based on a real-life story15:42, 23 Jun 2026Stars of Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey have joined the cast of a tragic new drama.‌ITV has announced further cast for Mavis Eccleston, 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, before being arrested and charged with his murder.‌"Much to the anguish and upset of their adult children, Kevin and Joy, Mavis and Dennis decided to end their lives together when 81-year-old Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering," the official description reads.‌"He'd had cancer twice before and knew the gruelling toll the invasive treatment would take on him and his family life."Truly heartbreaking events unfold as the family desperately try to dissuade Dennis and Mavis from taking a lethal cocktail of medication, but they remain steadfast in their belief that they should leave the world together."‌Having taken an overdose together, both Dennis and Mavis were rushed to hospital, where Dennis sadly died. Mavis survived and was shortly interviewed by police, before her arrest.The synopsis concludes: "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."Mavis Eccleston, who was found not guilty in 2019, has given her blessing to the drama, which has been developed by Grantchester star Tom Brittney, alongside Indefinite Films.‌The four-part drama, which is currently filming in Bristol, will star Downton Abbey's Penelope Wilton and The Crown's Jonathan Pryce in the leading roles of Mavis and Dennis Eccleston.They will be joined by Sian Brooke (Blue Lights) and Chris Reilly (Call the Midwife), who will play Dennis and Mavis' children, Joy and Kevin. Jill Halfpenny (After the Flood) and Darrell D'Silva (Van Der Valk) take on the roles of Tracey and Kenton, the partners of Kevin and Joy.‌The show also features Rhashan Stone (Black Mirror) and Emma Stansfield (Waterloo Road) as barrister Alex Wyatt and Paula, a close friend of Joy's.Acclaimed screenwriter Chris Lang, who created ITV's Unforgotten, has written the series and each of the four episodes will be directed by BAFTA-winning Bruce Goodison, with Kate Cook producing.Tom Brittney previously said in a statement: "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 the 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."Director Bruce Goodison added: "What excites me about this series is the towering humanity and dignity of this lively Cannock-based working-class family. There is joy in the pain this family suffered during this horrendous ordeal. They are the perfect lightning rod for the assisted dying debate."Mavis Eccleston will air on ITV and STVArticle continues belowWhen life is difficult, Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org