Fighting for life

Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen star as parents who are urged by medics to allow their seriously ill daughter to die

- IAN MACEWAN, SEAN MARL

A couple face heartbreak as doctors recommend turning off their daughter’s life support in Best Interests, a powerful and poignant BBC1 drama starring Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen.

Created by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne, who previously penned Help and National Treasure, the four-parter tells the story of Nicci and Andrew Lloyd, who find themselves driven apart by a choice no parent would ever want to make.

The couple have two daughters, 17-year-old Katie and 13-year-old Marnie, who has congenital muscular dystrophy, a rare and life-limiting condition that has left her needing constant care.

As Marnie’s health deteriorates further, Nicci and Andrew are devastated when doctors suggest it is in Marnie’s best interests that she be allowed to die.

They argue the youngster is in pain and her treatments are becoming too invasive, but Nicci believes Marnie has a life that’s worth living and begins a legal battle to keep her alive that leads all the way to the High Court.

Good Omens star Sheen, 54, and Catastrophe