Flesh And Blood (BBC Two 2002, Christopher Eccleston, Emma Cunniffe)

In one off drama Flesh and Blood, Joe Broughton who was adopted at birth decides to try and find his natural parents when he himself became a father.

He finds his biological parents were mentally disabled and he was conceived in some passionate fumbling and adopted away by a nurse who put herself down as his mother on his birth certificate to keep the matter quiet. Joe meets his parents and tries to incorporate them in his life and have his friends and family accept them.

The actors playing Joe’s parents, Harry and Janet, were learning disabled themselves. A drama made as part of a BBC season on disability that went out under the umbrella title of What’s Your Problem.

production details
UK / BBC Two / 1×90 minute episode / Broadcast 25 September 2002 at 9:00pm

Writer: Peter Bowker / Executive Producers: Laura Mackie, Alex Holmes, Nicola Shindler / Producer: Derek Wax / Director: Julian Farino

cast
Christopher Eccleston as Joe Broughton
Emma Cunniffe as Cath
Barbara Marten as Barbara
Jean Heywood as Ethel
Stephen Graham as Eddie
Peter Kirby as Harry
Dorothy Cockin as Janet
Conor Ryan as Phil
Stephen Chapman as Vicar
Mary Cunningham as Mrs Lowther
Peter Lorenzelli as Mr Lowther
Lisa Millett as Judith
Smug Roberts as Andrew
Jennifer Hennessy as Vicky
Amanda Fairclough as Health Visitor
Meriel Scholfield as Doctor
Steve Evets [as Steve Evetts] as Man At Door
Des Cummings as Neighbour
Steve Garti as Seaworld Man
Steve Hillman as Man in Park
Tony Monroe as Pub Quizmaster