Peake: I’m so proud to play Hillsborough mother Anne
ACTRESS Maxine Peake has revealed her pride in playing late Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams in a new TV drama.
The four-part series “Anne” will see Peake portray Mrs Williams’ battle with cancer and her fight to find out the truth behind her 15-year-old son Kevin’s death.
The ITV drama is being made by World Productions, the company behind shows including Line Of Duty and the current BBC hit Bodyguard.
Kevin was one of 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 football tragedy, and the show was written by Hillsborough survivor Kevin Sampson.
Anne died in 2013 from cancer aged 62 before fresh inquests shed more light on an alleged institutional cover-up.
She was posthumously awarded the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Helen Rollason Award the same year.
Yesterday Peake, 44, said: “Anne Williams was an extraordinary woman. She spent half her life campaigning for the truth of her son’s death and the other 95 victims who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough.
“Anne and her family’s story really is inspirational. She was a magnificent role model.
“Her fearlessness and drive to take on the British establishment is mind blowing.
“I hope we can go some way to bringing the story of Anne, the families, victims and survivors of Hillsborough to an even wider audience.”
Mrs Williams’ daughter Sara is assisting on the drama, which has just begun filming in Liverpool.
Sara explained: “This is something I have thought very carefully about. Mum’s story is such a powerful and inspiring one.
“We all remember how important she always felt it was to bang the drum for justice. The key factor here is the involvement of people who I know have a deep understanding of Hillsborough, our story and all the elements around that.
“I am excited, as well as a little bit scared, but I just feel it is the right thing to do.
“I am looking forward to working alongside talented people who I know will give everything to ensure we produce a series that does justice to my mum, our Kev, the 96 and everyone involved.”
Anne, from Formby, Merseyside, was devastated by the loss of her son at the 1989 FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Refusing to believe the official line, she sought out new medical opinions, tracked down witnesses whose statements were altered and left no stone unturned in her fight for the truth.
Kevin Sampson said: “Anne’s is the story of a mother’s love being stronger than any opponent or obstacle. It is an honour that her family has entrusted us with telling her inspirational story.”