It’s all Rosie
THERE SHE GOES BBC2, 9.30pm/BBC2 Wales, 10pm
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Rosie is at the library with her family but within seconds she is screeching at the top of her lungs and pulling all the books from the shelves.
She has a severe learning disability and her family are well used to staring from members of the public.
“Sorry, sorry everyone,” mutters her frantic dad Simon, played by David Tennant. While her mum Emily, played by Jessica Hynes, stresses: “I thought you had her!” Then suddenly, Rosie calms down and quietly says “Ma ma”. For the first time ever.
Emily and Simon lurch from stressed-out to stunned, proud parents in seconds.
The whole scene perfectly displays the rollercoaster of emotions of having a disabled child, and sets the pace for this witty comedy-drama.
Based on the real life experiences of writers Shaun Pye and Sarah Crawford, whose daughter was born with a rare and undiagnosed chromosomal disorder, it follows the life of Rosie (Miley Locke) and her parents and brother as they cope with everyday situations.
The timeline flashes back and forth from present day to when she was a toddler.
And while there are heart-rending moments as it tackles an emotionallyfraught issue, it is also very funny, largely thanks to Tennant and Hynes as Rosie’s worn-out, sarcastic parents.
“Mr Tumble doing Makaton on an iPad isn’t enough!” scolds Emily, who thinks they need to make more effort with the signing.
Meanwhile, Simon wants to avoid the school fundraiser sports day full of “earnest” parents and “wacky races”.
This show shines a perfectly pitched spotlight on a family’s life that for many is a reality.