BBC One commissions new one-off factual drama by Frank McGuiness, A Song For Jenny
BBC One announces a new factual drama that explores one woman’s response to her daughter’s murder in the July 7th London bombings.
Published: 22 August 2014
Despite the poignancy of the subject, I am delighted that my memoir has inspired the re-telling of Jenny’s story for film. I believe it is in safe hands and I have long admired and respected the work of Frank McGuinness who is to write the screenplay.
A Song For Jenny, a new 1x75' factual drama, commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, explores Julie Nicholson's response to her daughter Jenny’s murder in the July 7th bombing at Edgware Road tube station.
Starring Emily Watson (The Book Thief, Appropriate Adult) as Julie Nicholson, A Song For Jenny is written by Frank McGuiness (A Short Stay In Switzerland, Talk Of Angels and Dancing At Lughnasa), directed by Brian Percival (The Book Thief, Downton Abbey, North And South) and made by BBC Drama Production, Northern Ireland for BBC One.
Four suicide bombers struck in central London on Thursday 7 July, killing 52 people and injuring more than 700. It was the first time British suicide bombers had launched an attack on civilians in their own country. It was the greatest loss of life in a British terrorist attack since the Lockerbie bombing in 1988.
Adapted from Julie’s book, Frank McGuiness’s script is a moving and precise exploration of a mother’s responses, from the moment she hears about the attacks, to the news that her daughter is missing, to the confirmation that Jenny is among the dead.
Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One, says: “Ten years on, A Song For Jenny will be a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy of the 7/7 London bombings. But it will also be a very personal story, exploring universal themes of grief, loss and forgiveness through one mother’s struggle to reconcile her feelings with her faith.”
Julie Nicholson adds: “Despite the poignancy of the subject, I am delighted that my memoir has inspired the re-telling of Jenny’s story for film. I believe it is in safe hands and I have long admired and respected the work of Frank McGuinness who is to write the screenplay.”
On playing Julie, Emily Watson says: “Although daunted by the task ahead, as a Londoner who was there on 7/7, I feel honoured to be part of the team asked to tell this compelling story. I hope we can do it justice.”
The emotionally detailed drama explores the profound impact of violence on one woman and a family. Julie and her family experience hope, denial, acceptance of grim reality, the anguish of grief and a final desire not to be broken and to honour Jenny.
July 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks. A Song For Jenny will be an iconic contribution to mark that event, exploring a real life story that will speak to the nation and touch on other personal memories of that tragic day.
It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning. It will be executive produced by Stephen Wright, Head of Drama BBC Northern Ireland, produced by Liz Trubridge (Downton Abbey, A Short Stay In Switzerland, From Time To Time) and directed by Brian Percival. It is produced by BBC Drama Production Northern Ireland for BBC One.
A Song For Jenny will film in London this Autumn and casting will be announced in due course.
CI2
