In this fact-based television drama, the parents of a severely autistic boy find a lifeline in the form of a golden retriever.
Kyle Graham (Andrew Byrne) is six years old and trapped in a world of his own, unable to speak or connect with his parents, Nicola (Keeley Hawes) and Rob (Ben Miles). His severe autism pushes their marriage to the brink; Rob struggles to accept the reality of his son’s condition, while Nicola dedicates her life to finding a breakthrough, however small. After exhausting conventional therapies, and on the advice of her mother Pat (Sheila Hancock), Nicola decides to get a puppy. The arrival of Thomas, a golden retriever, begins a slow and remarkable process of change, as the dog becomes the conduit through which Kyle starts to engage with the world around him.
The drama’s power comes from its determinedly unsentimental approach to a true story. The screenplay, written by Lindsey Hill, is a raw and honest account of raising a child with severe autism, refusing to offer easy consolations or miraculous cures. Instead, it concentrates on the daily, exhausting realities: the strain on a marriage, the social isolation, and the immense parental effort required for the smallest sign of progress. The performances are central to its success; Keeley Hawes is formidable as a mother whose tenacity is fuelled by desperation, while Andrew Byrne’s portrayal of Kyle is disciplined and convincing. The production avoids melodrama, grounding its emotional force in the quiet, incremental victory of a boy and his dog.
Broadcast: ITV – Hartswood Films, 1 Episode, 26 December 2006
Written by: Lindsey Hill
Director: Simon Shore
Producer: Elaine Cameron
Executive Producers: Kathryn Mitchell, Nick Elliott
Main Cast: Keeley Hawes (Nicola), Ben Miles (Rob), Andrew Byrne (Kyle), Sheila Hancock (Granny Pat), Duncan Preston (Grandpa Jim), Lorraine Pilkington (Rachel), Clive Mantle (John Havers), Noma Dumezweni (Paula)
