Martin Compston stars in first-look trailer for new BBC drama Mayflies
Note: The following article contains discussion of themes including suicide.
Martin Compston's new drama, Mayflies. has released its first trailer from the BBC.
The Line of Duty star takes on the role of Jimmy, whose life is turned upside down when his childhood friend Tully (Tony Curran) tells him the devastating news that he has cancer.
The trailer sees an emotional Compston faced with his friend's mortality, before Tully asks for one last request that will test their decades of friendships and love for each other. Tully asks if Jimmy will help him end his life, and to begin with, we see that Jimmy is outraged and refuses.
As everyone around Tully struggles to come to terms with his diagnosis, including his wife Anna (played by After Life's Ashley Jensen) he starts to reflect on how he wants his life to end.
The show cuts between Scotland in the summer of 1986, when teenage Jimmy and Tully have a defining wild weekend in Manchester together, and the present, as a nod to the nostalgic euphoria of youth contrasted with their stark adult reality.
The series, which is adapted from Andrew O'Hagan's acclaimed novel of the same name, airs in two sixty-minute episodes that will be available on iPlayer from December 27, and shown on BBC One on December 28.
The star-studded ensemble cast also features Tracy Ifeachor (The Originals) as Iona, Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk) as young Tully, Rian Gordon (Vigil) as young Jimmy, Paul Gorman (Outlander) as Hogg, and Mitchell Robertson (A Very British Scandal) as young Tibbs.
As well as Elaine C. Smith (Two Doors Down) as Barbara, Shauna Macdonald (The Descent) as Fiona, Cal MacAninch (Time) as Tibbs, Colin McCredie (River City) as Scott and newcomer Matt Littleson as young Limbo.
Recently, Compston appeared on The One Show to discuss his heart-breaking new project and said that while the show had to remain neutral on assisted dying, and show both points of view, the difficult subject matter made it a very emotional experience.
"It's about assisted dying and it's a BBC show so we have to remain neutral and show both points of view," he explained.
Before the actor added: "It's the most emotional present to be on a job, as an actor you've got all sorts of tools and mechanics to get your emotion.
"I've killed off all members of my family and friends trying to get myself wound up, but with this it was just the subject matter, how good the script was and the wonderful cast led by Tony Curran… and Tony's a dear old friend of mine. I'm proud of it."
Mayflies will air on BBC iPlayer on December 27 and BBC One on December 28.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from MacMillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.
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