Mayflies (TV series)
Mayflies is a two-part British television drama starring Martin Compston and Tony Curran, adapted by Andrea Gibb from Andrew O'Hagan's 2020 novel of the same name, and directed by Peter Mackie Burns.
Mayflies | |
---|---|
Based on | Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan (2020 novel) |
Screenplay by | Andrea Gibb |
Directed by | Peter Mackie Burns |
Starring | |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 1 |
No. of episodes | 2 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Cinematography | Alasdair Boyce |
Production company | Synchronicity Films
|
Release | |
Original network | BBC One |
Original release | 27 December – 28 December 2022 |
Synopsis
Tully and Jimmy have been friends since 1986 after meeting in Scotland. Thirty years later, Jimmy received a heartbreaking phone call from Tully that he has terminal cancer.[1]
Cast
- Martin Compston as Jimmy
- Rian Gordon as Young Jimmy
- Tony Curran as Tully
- Tom Glynn-Carney as Young Tully
- Ashley Jensen as Anna
- Tracy Ifeachor as Iona
- Paul Gorman as Young Hogg
- Matt Littleson as Limbo
- Cal MacAninch - Tibbs
- Mitchell Robertson as Young Tibbs
- Elaine C Smith - Barbara
- Charlene Boyd as young Barbara
- Shauna Macdonald - Fiona
- Colin McCredie - Scott
Production
The BBC announced the project in August 2022. Set and filmed in Scotland, Synchronicity Films were announced to be producing for the BBC.[2] Compston described the process of adapting an acclaimed novel “terrifying” while Curran said they had tried to “honour” the book.[3]
Broadcast
The first episode of Mayflies aired in the UK on BBC One on Wednesday, December 28 at 9pm, the second episode the following day at the same time.[4]
Reception
The Financial Times reviewed a “thoughtful exploration of how death liberates the soon-to-be deceased, and devastates those left behind” with an “array of stirring performances”.[5] The Guardian described it as “beautifully told” whilst “Curran is deeply moving as a man who refuses to let death have the last laugh, with Ashley Jensen as his firecracker wife Anna.”[6]
References
- "Mayflies: Release date, cast and news for Martin Compston drama". Radio Times.
- "The BBC announces new Scottish drama Mayflies, starring Martin Compston, Tony Curran and Ashley Jensen". BBC.co.uk.
- "Martin Compston on BBC drama Mayflies:"Genuinely, it is terrifying"". Radio Times.
- "BBC Mayflies". IMDb.
- "Mayflies TV review — end-of-life drama takes in male bonding and biscuits". Financial Times. 26 December 2022.
- "Christmas crackers! The very best TV to watch this week". The Guardian. 24 December 2022.