Are you watching anything good on TV right now? Well, if you’ve been glued to the likes of The Gallows Pole, Drops Of God and The Crowded Room, then the answer will no doubt be a resounding yes.

Happily, there are plenty of gripping new BBC dramas in the pipeline, including the star-studded This Town (which comes courtesy of the makers of Peaky Blinders), a new series of Tom Hardy’s Taboo and a five-part adaptation of Boiling Point, Stephen Graham’s multi-award-winning film.

And guess what? There’s more where that came from, too.

Step up to the plate, then, Best Interests.

Watch the trailer for Best Interests below.

Now, as any fan of a BBC drama will know, real life often makes for the most gripping and relatable television, and this new four-part series looks to be no different.

Starring the mighty Michael Sheen and Sharon Horgan, the drama hails from Bafta-winning writer and disability rights advocate Jack Thorne (Help, His Dark Materials, The Virtues) and tells a story of a family driven apart.

Why? Because they are forced to make the sort of choices no parent would ever want to make. 

Here’s what you need to know.

What is Best Interests about?

The series sees Sheen and Horgan star as married couple Nicci and Andrew, who have two daughters: Katie, played by Alison Oliver (Conversation With Friends) and Marnie, played by Niamh Moriarty (A Christmas Carol), who has a life-threatening condition.

“The doctors believe it is in her best interests to be allowed to die, but her loving family disagree,” reads the official synopsis. 

“And so begins a fight that will take them through every stage of a legal process, as they struggle to contemplate this huge decision.”

Who stars in Best Interests?

As well as Sheen, Horgan, Oliver and Moriarty, the cast also boasts the talents of:

• Noma Dumezweni (The Undoing) as Samantha
• Chizzy Akudolu (Holby City) as Mercy
• Des McAleer (Hope Street) as Eddie
• Mat Fraser (His Dark Materials) as Greg
• Gary Beadle (Grantchester) as Frank
• Jack Morris (Strike) as Tom
• Pippa Haywood (Bodyguard) as Judge Spottiswood
• Shane Zaza (Happy Valley) as Fred
• Lucian Msamati (Gangs Of London) as Derek 
• Lisa McGrillis (Mum) as Brenda

What are people saying about Best Interests?

“Best Interests broke me when I first read the script and then again after talking with Jack about it,” said Horgan. 

“Covid seems to have shone a closer light on the desperate inequalities that exist for our disabled community so this felt very timely. It’s a big subject but it’s in Jack Thorne and Michael Keillor’s safe hands. I’m thrilled to be working on this story with a super talented cast, the wonderful Michael Sheen and Noma Dumezweni, and my gorgeous daughters Alison Oliver and Niamh Moriarty.”

“Jack Thorne is such an extraordinary writer and he has approached this incredibly important and urgent subject with humanity, honesty and humour,” said Sheen. “I feel very fortunate to be part of this production and to work with the brilliant Sharon Horgan and some of the most talented actors around.”

Jack Thorne added that while Best Interests shines a light on the UK’s “troubled relationship with disability”, the drama is primarily a love story.

“Our drama is first and foremost a love story and it needs incredible actors to bring it to life,” he commented. “Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen lead a company of ridiculous talents that pull you into the most interesting of places. I’m so grateful to be working with them, Chapter One, Michael Keillor and a very brilliant crew.”

When can we watch Best Interests?

Best Interests will first air on BBC One on Monday 12 June at 9pm, with the second episode airing the following day on Tuesday 13 June.

Images: BBC/Getty