ITV viewers are left sobbing over Anne, the ‘utterly heartbreaking Hillsborough drama’.
Episode one of the new four-part series, which aired last night, saw Maxine Peak’s character Anne Williams break down in tears after discovering her 15-year-old son Kevin was one of the 96 Liverpool fans who perished in the 1989 tragedy.
The fatal human crush that occurred during the match between Hillsborough Stadium and Sheffield in South Yorkshire, on April 15, 1995 killed him.
Anne spent her whole life campaigning to get justice for her son’s tragic death. The first episode of factual drama about Anne’s story featured viewers distraught after seeing her mother identify her son.
Maxine’s role and Steve, her husband, was played by Stephen Walters. Police asked them to review photographs of a board in an attempt to find out if the victim had ever been their teenage son. Both of them cried as they saw an image showing their son.
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ITV viewers were left sobbing over Anne, the ‘utterly heartbreaking Hillsborough drama (pictured), and they are now ‘feeling physically sick.
The premiere episode of the four-part new series aired last night. Maxine Peak’s character Anne Williams, pictured left in 2012, broke down after learning that her 15-year old son Kevin was among the 96 Liverpool supporters who died in the 1989 tragedy.
Anne spent her entire life fighting for justice following the death of her son. In the very first episode, the viewers were shocked to see the mother forced by her son to be identified.
Anne, who was in tears, said, “I can’t,” as her husband and she were led into a room where a cop showed them how to attach several Polaroids to a board. This displayed the names of unidentified victims.
“If possible, take a glance at these photos and let us know if your loved ones are among them,” stated the officer. However, the mother was distraught to tell him that Kevin is Kevin.
Anne quickly scanned the board as she entered the room. Kevin is not one of them.
Her husband, a tearful man, soon admitted that Kevin was on the board… He is Anne… He’s number 51.’
Anne breaks down, distraught: “No, no he is not. It’s all wrong. You’re wrong.
Finally, she walked up to her son’s picture and broke down shouting “I want to meet him.” Is he there? “I need to meet him.”
Maxine and Steve (played by Stephen Walters) were both asked to examine photographs on a bulletin board by police in order to determine if their teenager boy had been one of those victims. As they saw the image of their son, both cried.
Anne, who had just lost her husband, was moved into a room with a policeman. A number of Polaroids were attached to a board showing the victims.
After the emotionally charged scenes on the premiere episode, viewers were moved to tears. It was completely heartbreaking and sickening.
Another commented, “I underestimated the difficulty of watching Anne be. It’s heartbreaking.’
A third added: ‘That was harrowing and deeply upsetting to put it mildly’, while a fourth wrote: ‘Only 20 minutes into #Anne and I’m heartbroken. The pain & loss that day is unbearable.’
A fifth said: ‘Honestly I’ve bawled my eyes out. It was heartbreaking to see the devastation @MPeakeOfficial, and @StephenWalters portray in this.
Although I was just six at the time, it still evokes a sense of terror, anger, and hurt. Excellent first episode.’
Maxine admitted that Anne’s role was a ‘no-brainer’ and that she accepted it without reading any script.
Reaction: Viewers were left in tears following the emotional scenes of the first episode, with one person writing on Twitter: ‘I feel physically sick watching this. It was completely heartbreaking and sickening.
Anne passed away at the age of 62. She had dedicated her life to challenging inexcusable medical evidence that was accepted by her son’s funeral and its verdict of accidental.
Before her death, Anne lived The Hillsborough independent panel report reveals the full truth of the tragedy.
Maxine, speaking about Anne’s role. I said, “When the script arrived. When you get the call that a script is coming to your attention, it mentions Anne Williams. Before I could read the script, my agent told me, “Just in case.” It was clear that I didn’t hesitate.
Stephen, who was a star in Outlander, shared his personal experience with Hillsborough from when his cousin went to the terrible game.
On This Morning, he said: “I recall my father trying to reach my uncle John for his son at the game. He was a season-ticket holder. There was panic.
Maxine, pictured as Anne in character. Maxine previously stated that she accepted the role without hesitation during an appearance on This Morning.
April 1989: Supporters are crushed against the barrier as disaster strikes before the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played at the Hillsborough
Honored: Tributes left at Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield Ground (pictured 2012).
“I can still remember my brother taking his scarf to Anfield. The memorial was filled with red and white flowers, cards, photos, and other mementos. Everyone had stories like this in their community. Whether it was a neighbour or a school, they are still remembered and talked about 30 years later.
Maxine said that people were interested in joining the cast after they learned she was the star of the drama.
Maxine stated that the filming was taking place in Liverpool and she had an amazing cast of actors. It was revealed that I would be playing Anne. People in the area got in touch and actors they knew asked, asking, “Can we get you in?” This is not a common occurrence. However, there are stories that have some truth to them. Although it is part of our sporting heritage, it also forms part of our larger history.
Maxine stated that Anne was resilient and never quit. She may have felt it at times in drama, but she carried on.
“She never became bitter, she felt that way. Although she was mad, she managed to channel her anger into something positive and it drove her forward. This was something she did with great dignity. It was a famous quote from her: “They want to grind me down but I’ll grind it down first.”