In this single drama-documentary, a couple begins the difficult process of adopting a family of three children.
Jennifer Hawkes (Felicity Montagu) and her husband Arthur (Pip Donaghy) begin the process of adopting three siblings: Philip Davis (Peter McNamara), Polly Davis (Amy Turner), and Lee Davis (Thomas Turner). The film charts the couple’s attempt to build a new family unit while under the intense scrutiny of the social care system, documenting the challenges of forming a bond with the children while satisfying the demands of the authorities.
Produced by Granada Television, this stand-alone film is a notable example of the company’s commitment to social-realist drama. The production blends a scripted narrative with the observational feel of a documentary to expose the friction within the British adoption system of the early 1990s. Its power comes from a refusal to sentimentalise the process; the teleplay focuses squarely on the often-conflicting needs of the prospective parents and the vulnerable children. The direction by Richard Broad maintains a tone of detached authenticity, which gives the performances a raw, unvarnished quality.
Broadcast: ITV – Granada, 1 Episode, 14 April 1992
Produced by: Sian Williams
Directed by: Richard Broad
Main Cast: Felicity Montagu (Jennifer Hawkes), Pip Donaghy (Arthur Hawkes), Peter McNamara (Philip Davis), Amy Turner (Polly Davis), Thomas Turner (Lee Davis)
