The drama centers on Mavis Eccleston, who was arrested and charged with murder following the death of her husband Dennis. According to multiple reports, Mavis and Dennis Eccleston decided to end their lives together when Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment. Dennis was 81 years old and had had cancer twice before.
Their family tried to dissuade them from taking a lethal cocktail of medication. After taking the overdose, they were both rushed to the hospital, where Dennis died but Mavis survived. Mavis faced the prospect of spending the rest of her life in prison.
Tom Brittney brought the project to producer Corestar Media after earning the confidence of the Eccleston family, who have endorsed the ITV drama. The outcome of Mavis Eccleston's murder charge and the specific charges brought against her have not been disclosed. It is unclear when exactly the series will air.
According to a press release, Penelope Wilton described Mavis as devoted to her husband, adding that the fact she faced prison for acting out of love is unimaginable. Jonathan Pryce said the story is a powerful and timely one of an extraordinary couple facing the dilemma of assisted dying. Tom Brittney noted he was struck by the love and injustice in the case when he first read about it in 2018.