The Children (2008 miniseries)
Encyclopedia
The Children is a three part 2008
drama miniseries written by Lucy Gannon
and produced for ITV
. It stars Lesley Sharp
, Geraldine Somerville
and Kevin Whately
, and premiered on ITV at 9pm on Monday 1 September, 2008.
The plot centred around the dysfunctional lives of Cameron (Whately), Sue (Somerville) and Sue's daughter, Emily, (Sinéad Michael). Sue's ex-husband was DJ Paul (Ian Puleston-Davies
) and his new girlfriend Natasha (Kate Ashfield
), and Cameron's ex-wife Anne (Sharpe) and their son Jack (Freddie Boath
).
The main plot is surrounding the family life at home living as a step family, and is told in a backwards flashback mode.
Arguments and tension rise throughout the 3 episodes and eventually following her strange and naughty behaviour, little Emily is killed. Any one of the adults could have been responsible and were placed at the scene.
As the show reaches its climax, Cameron is shown hitting Emily and accidentally smashing her through a glass patio door, however there is a twist to the tale as all the suspects are then seen killing her one by one, all except one of them.
The show's ending, which showed Natasha (the only character not seen killing Emily) crying and sobbing "I'm sorry," was panned by critics, due to the fact viewers were not shown how or indeed why Natasha killed her.
2008 in television
The following is a list of events affecting American television in 2008. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and new channel launches.-January:-February:-March:-April:-May:-June:-July:-August:...
drama miniseries written by Lucy Gannon
Lucy Gannon
-Life:Lucy Gannon once worked as a military policewoman, a residential social worker, as well as a nurse and lived in a concrete council house with no central heating. Now she resides in a converted barn, in Derbyshire, and is one of the most sought-after TV writers aroundShe started in 1987, to...
and produced for ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. It stars Lesley Sharp
Lesley Sharp
Lesley Sharp is an English stage, film and television actress, particularly well known for her variety of British television roles including Clocking Off, Bob & Rose and afterlife.-Early life:...
, Geraldine Somerville
Geraldine Somerville
Geraldine Margaret Agnew-Somerville is a British actress best known for her roles as Detective Sergeant Jane "Panhandle" Penhaligon in Cracker, and Lily Potter in the Harry Potter film series.-Early life:...
and Kevin Whately
Kevin Whately
Kevin Whately is an English actor.Whately is known for his starring role as Neville Hope in the British television comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, his role as Dr Jack Kerruish in the drama series Peak Practice, and as Robert "Robbie" Lewis in the crime dramas Inspector Morse and...
, and premiered on ITV at 9pm on Monday 1 September, 2008.
The plot centred around the dysfunctional lives of Cameron (Whately), Sue (Somerville) and Sue's daughter, Emily, (Sinéad Michael). Sue's ex-husband was DJ Paul (Ian Puleston-Davies
Ian Puleston-Davies
-Early life and career:Born in Flint, Wales, Puleston-Davies has starred in the ITV drama Vincent alongside Ray Winstone, and Ghostboat , alongside David Jason. He has also played the lead roles in Conviction and the BBC Three series Funland.He has starred in long-running dramas such as Holby...
) and his new girlfriend Natasha (Kate Ashfield
Kate Ashfield
Kate Ashfield is a British actress, best known for her award-winning roles as Jody in the Anglo-German film Late Night Shopping, as Sadie MacGregor in the British film This Little Life and as Liz in the 2004 film Shaun of the Dead.-Biography:Ashfield was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England...
), and Cameron's ex-wife Anne (Sharpe) and their son Jack (Freddie Boath
Freddie Boath
Freddie Boath is an English actor. He is known for his role as Alex O'Connell in The Mummy Returns.Boath was born in London to a banker and a producer, respectively his father and mother. He has an older brother, Jack and a younger sister, Millie. Boath attended the Catholic prep school St Phillip's...
).
The main plot is surrounding the family life at home living as a step family, and is told in a backwards flashback mode.
Arguments and tension rise throughout the 3 episodes and eventually following her strange and naughty behaviour, little Emily is killed. Any one of the adults could have been responsible and were placed at the scene.
As the show reaches its climax, Cameron is shown hitting Emily and accidentally smashing her through a glass patio door, however there is a twist to the tale as all the suspects are then seen killing her one by one, all except one of them.
The show's ending, which showed Natasha (the only character not seen killing Emily) crying and sobbing "I'm sorry," was panned by critics, due to the fact viewers were not shown how or indeed why Natasha killed her.