My Mother And Other Strangers

English born and bred Rose Coyne met her husband Michael, in England and followed him home to the rural community of Moybeg, Northern Ireland where they now live with their three children, Emma, Francis and Kate.

Rose closes up the school for the local potato-picking holidays and heads to the store run by Michael, where Ned Hanlon, his sons and some other locals wait to buy their meagre wartime rations. Ned is a tough old man and a staunch republican, and there is no love lost between him and Rose. His son Davey lets slip that Michael has an illegal supply of corned beef, of which Rose knows nothing.

Ten year-old Francis and his best friend Seamie take delight in watching the B17s land and take off from the American Air Base which has been built slap-dab in the middle of their parish. Seamie tries to drag Francis to the air base dump with the promise of untold treasures, leaving Francis torn, as he has been forbidden by his mother to go.

On her usual walk to her favourite spot by the lough, a chance meeting with a mysterious American has a huge impact on Rose. He’s Captain Dreyfuss, recently assigned to the airbase in the role of ensuring the local and the airmen coexist peacefully, and he asks for Rose’s help.

Meanwhile, Rose and Michael’s 16 year-old daughter Emma has a chance encounter of her own with a handsome young airman, Lieutenant Barnhill. Defying her father, Emma goes to the cinema with Barnhill - but it’s not just Michael who’s furious when he sees them return. Fed up with the Americans stealing their girls, the Hanlons and some of the locals attack Barnhill as retribution.

As a result of the attack, Dreyfuss brings news that the pub has been placed out of bounds to the airmen. He also brings news that Barnhill is leaving for combat and gives Rose a letter from Barnhill to Emma. As she struggles with her own growing, forbidden attraction to Dreyfuss, what will Rose decide to do with the letter?

Rose is played by Hattie Morahan, Michael by Owen McDonnell, Captain Dreyfuss by Aaron Staton, Emma by Eileen O’Higgins and Ned by Des McAleer.

Pictured: Rose Coyne (Hattie Morahan)

Publicity contact: CK