TV ANNA’S WARM FRONT
ANNA Friel looked snug as she wrapped up against the cold while filming new drama Butterfly. The Rochdale actress layered up in a long grey coat, sweeping blue scarf and fluffy yellow jumper with a beanie hat as stepped out in Castlefield.
As well as starring in the new ITV drama about a transgender child she is also co-producing the three-part series.
The Golden Globe nominated actress, who shot to fame in the 90s as Beth Jordache in the Channel Four soap Brookside, plays the mother of an 11-year-old boy called Max who lives as a girl at home.
Former Hollyoaks actor Emmett J Scanlan, who played bad boy Brendan Brady in the Channel Four show, was pictured filming scenes with Anna.
The series, which will touch on the themes of acceptance, inclusivity and unconditional love, will tell the story of Max who decides he doesn’t want to hide this identity from the world. And Friel will play the child’s mum Vicky, as she attempts to work out how best to support and protect him.
The show is penned by Tony Marchant, the playwright behind BBC’s Public Enemies, The Secret Agent, Garrow’s Law and Baftawinning war film The Mark of Cain. Polly Hill, head of ITV Drama said about the series: “Butterfly is a beautiful story about a young boy on the cusp of puberty who doesn’t feel comfortable in his own body. “It’s a heartwarming and emotional script from Tony Marchant that focuses upon gender identity and one boy’s search to be recognised for who he really is.” Anna, who has a 12-year-old daughter Gracie, will also return to our screens soon in the second series of the Scandi-noir crime drama Marcella.
Butterfly is a beautiful story about a young boy on the cusp of puberty. It’s heart-warming Polly Hill, head of ITV drama