BBC One to air Anthony Walker drama
David Farnor | On 16, Jun 2020
BBC One will air Anthony, a new drama inspired by the life of Anthony Walker.
Anthony was a Liverpool teenager with a devout Christian faith and a love of basketball. Known to his family and friends for his humour, intelligence and compassion, Anthony was halfway through college with dreams of visiting America and studying Law at university. On 29th July 2005 in Huyton, Merseyside, he was murdered in a racist attack, aged 18.
Anthony is the story of the life he could have lived. Inspired by conversations with Gee Walker, Anthony’s mother, about the boy Anthony was and the man he was to become, Anthony is written by multi-Bafta winner Jimmy McGovern (Broken, The Street, Cracker) and made by LA Productions for BBC One.
Anthony Walker will be played by Toheeb Jimoh (The Power, Ted Lasso) and Rakie Ayola (Shetland, Noughts + Crosses) will portray Gee Walker. They will appear alongside Julia Brown (World On Fire), Bobby Schofield (Knightfall), Stephanie Hyam (Bodyguard), Shaniqua Okwok (Small Axe), Robinah Kironde (The Widow), Dominique Moore (A Confession), Phina Oruche (Taken Down), Siobhan McSweeney (Derry Girls), Ade Ajibade (Intergalactic), Wesley Bozonga (Sliced), Leo Wringer (Black Earth Rising), Lorna Gayle (Carmilla), Jay Lycurgo (I May Destroy You), Josh Bolt (Last Tango In Halifax) and James Ledsham (Levelling The Score) who all play key roles in the film.
Gee Walker, Anthony Walker’s mother, comments: “I went to Jimmy because I couldn’t think of anyone more suited who could depict, highlight and draw attention to the hard messages of a life not lived – Anthony’s unfilled dreams, his potentials and the many lives he would have impacted on – which now will never be realised.”
McGovern adds: “I’d known Gee Walker for many years and every time I had needed to write about loss or grief I had gone to her and she had always been generous with her time and her profound wisdom. But one day SHE came to ME and asked me to write about her beloved Anthony. I said, “Gee, if you’re asking such a thing, I feel I have a God-given duty to do it.” And so I did it.”
Jimoh says: “Anthony’s story is a painfully tragic one but it’s also full of hope, joy, promise and love. Jimmy’s script captures that perfectly. I hope this film will serve as a tribute to Anthony and I feel truly honoured to have been asked to play him.”
The 90-minute drama is directed by Terry McDonough (Cold Feet, An Adventure In Space And Time, The Street) and produced by Donna Molloy and Colin McKeown. Executive Producers are Colin McKeown for LA Productions, Lucy Richer for BBC One, and Jimmy McGovern. Anthony was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. The film will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios.
Anthony was filmed in and around Liverpool, and will air on BBC One. This is the sixth collaboration between LA Productions, Jimmy McGovern and BBC One, following award winning success with Care, Broken, Reg, Common, and 10 seasons of BBC Daytime’s Moving On.