Michael Gambon stars as Sir Winston Churchill and Lindsay Duncan as Clementine Churchill in this feature-length film based on real events. Romola Garai takes the part of nurse Millie Appleyard and Churchill’s adult children are played by Matthew Macfadyen as Randolph, Daisy Lewis as Mary, Rachael Stirling as Sarah and Tara Fitzgerald as Diana.
In the summer of 1953, Churchill – now prime minister for the second time and in his late 70s – suffers a life-threatening stroke, which is kept
secret from the world. Nurse Millie Appleyard is rushed to a secret location, where she discovers her patient’s identity. Told from the viewpoint of his young nurse, the drama follows Churchill’s battle to recover as his long-suffering wife Clemmie desperately hopes that the stroke will force her husband to retire, while his political friends and foes engage in plot and counter-plot over his successor. As Churchill’s family gather at his bedside, unsure if he will pull through, long-buried tensions begin to surface.
production details
UK | ITV – Daybreak Pictures | 101 minutes | 2016
Director: Charles Sturridge
Producer: Timothy Bricknell
Script: Jonathan Smith, Stewart Harcourt
Book: Jonathan Smith
cast
Michael Gambon as Winston Churchill
Lindsay Duncan as Clemmie Churchill
Romola Garai as Millie Appleyard
Daisy Lewis as Mary Churchill
Chris Larkin as Rab Butler
Matthew Marsh as Lord Beaverbrook
Tara Fitzgerald as Diana Churchill
Rachael Stirling as Sarah Churchill
Matthew Macfadyen as Randolph Churchill
Bill Paterson as Lord Moran
Alex Jennings as Anthony Eden
James Wilby as Brendan Bracken
Patrick Kennedy as Jock Colville
Christian McKay as Christopher Soames
John Standing as Lord Camrose
Matilda Sturridge as Rosie Hopper
Ian Mercer as Sgt Murray
William Blenkinsop as Young Randolph
Eloise Webb as Young Diana
Dixie Egerickx as Young Sarah Churchill
Harper Gray as Young Nicholas Soames
Molly Ashby as Young Emma
Margot Orr as Marigold
