Sheridan Smith will star in BBC One drama, with the working title Sheridan Smith which is due to commence filming this spring. The drama will be made by ITV Studios and the same award-winning team behind the acclaimed Appropriate Adult. The two-part drama will reveal how a group of women brought their community together in their attempt to find a child who disappeared in their midst. “The story is a fascinating mixture of what I thought I knew and a whole lot more that I had no idea about. The themes of faith and trust in human nature, and the way the whole community came together really inspired me.” Smith commented.
The focus of the drama is on the spirit and determination of the women at the forefront of the campaign and the impact on them when the truth about Shannon’s disappearance was finally revealed.
“This drama takes us into the heart of a story and a community that was defined more by prejudice than genuine understanding. It has been a privilege to research and write. To have the story brought to life by such an outstanding cast, led by the extraordinary Sheridan Smith, is a truly thrilling prospect.” Writer Neil McKay commented.
“For a short period of time the nation’s focus was on a small corner of West Yorkshire as a young girl went missing in suspicious circumstances. By the time Shannon Matthews had been found alive, we perhaps felt we knew all there was to know about the Moorside estate and the people who lived there. But what we discovered as we researched into this fascinating story is that those conclusions were drawn far too quickly.” Executive Producer Jeff Pope commented.