Cherished (TV 2005)

A drama based on the true story of Angela Cannings, who was wrongly convicted of killing two of her children, on the basis of "expert witness" evidence about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (... See full summary »

Director:

Robin Shepperd

Writer:

Gwyneth Hughes

Stars:

Sarah Lancashire, Amber Wollen, Timothy Spall

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sarah Lancashire	...	Angela Cannings
Amber Wollen	...	Jade Cannings (age 3-5)
Timothy Spall	...	Terry Cannings
Geoffrey Greenhill	...	Bakery Worker
Jenny Mitchell	...	Nurse (as Jenny Ellen)
John Vine	...	Dr. Redding
Jake Nightingale	...	DS Rob Findlay
Alison Lomas	...	WDC Jill Dawson
Emma Cunniffe	...	Claire Connolly
James Barriscale	...	Tom Sedley
Suzan Sylvester	...	Tessa Parry
William Chubb	...	Professor Berry
Julian Rivett	...	DS Matt Johnson
Brian Hickey	...	Detective Superintendent
Steve Chaplin	...	Stephen Cannings

Storyline

A drama based on the true story of Angela Cannings, who was wrongly convicted of killing two of her children, on the basis of "expert witness" evidence about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Cot Death Syndrome) which has since been discredited.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [United Kingdom]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 2005 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Drama Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Professor Sir Roy Meadow whose expert witness evidence was discredited, resulting in Angela Cannings' conviction being quashed, was found guilty by the British Medical Association of gross professional misconduct in giving misleading evidence, and was struck off the medical register on 15 July 2005.

User Reviews

Well-handled but a bit unnecessary

Whilst I am not one to do a disservice to Angela Cannings and respect that she has had a terrible experience, I was rather inclined to agree with the 'Guardian' journalist who questioned the need for this reconstruction of her story.

Tracing the long process from the third cot death of her third child in 1999 through her arrest, imprisonment and to her release on appeal in October 2003, we see Cannings' story as one of 'a woman wronged' and it is hard not to feel something rather exploitative is being played out, although I appreciate it was done with the full cooperation of Cannings and her family.

Sarah Lancashire and Timothy Spall are as excellent as ever, and Spall handles the devoted husband's descent into despair and alcoholism well, but I didn't come away from this feeling particularly informed, which I imagine was the main point.

And on a small point, I was pleased to see the brilliant Marion Bailey in a small role, carrying on from her tour de force in Mike Leigh's 'All Or Nothing'.