Guilty Silence

The parents of a traumatised child actor face an agonising decision in a harrowing new drama

- Olly Grant

For any young person wanting to be an actor, the chance to star in a Hollywood movie would be a dream come true.

But when London teenager Isaac (Max Fincham) finds his wish fulfilled in new BBC1 drama Dark Mon£y, his dream quickly turns into a nightmare.

In the hard-hitting four-parter, his working-class parents Manny and Sam Mensah (Babou Ceesay and Jill Halfpenny) are thrilled when the 13-year-old lands a role in a big-budget US sci-fi movie.

‘Isaac is the second lead, and it’s huge for him,’ says Ceesay. ‘Sam and Manny are excited, but conflicted, because it means him going to the States for two months of filming.’

However, when Isaac returns home, he reveals he was abused by the film’s powerful producer Jotham Starr (John Schwab).

‘The family throw a big welcome home party for Isaac,’ explains Halfpenny. ‘However, it’s all a bit awkward and weird. And quite quickly they realise that there’s something on Isaac’s mind. When he reveals what has happened, they are devastated.’