ANNE: MAXINE PEAKE LEADS CAST OF ITV DRAMA

Maxine Peake has been cast in the leading role of Anne Williams in new ITV drama, Anne, which will air in 2022.

Maxine Peake will play Anne Williams, the inspirational mother who dedicated her life to campaigning for justice following her son Kevin’s tragic death at Hillsborough. Stephen Walters is to play Anne’s husband, Steve Williams.

Refusing to accept the Coroner’s original verdict of accidental death, Anne was determined to unearth the truth about what happened at Hillsborough. She sought out new medical opinions, tracked down witnesses who had tried to revive Kevin on the pitch and lobbied ministers for new inquests.

Anne stood defiant for over 20 years alongside the parents and relatives who fought to prove that their loved ones had been unlawfully killed at a football match.

Maxine Peake said: "Anne Williams was an extraordinary woman who spent half her life campaigning for the truth of her son’s death and the other 95 victims who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough. Anne and her family’s story really is inspirational. She was a magnificent role model...

"Her fearlessness and drive to take on the British Establishment is mind blowing. I hope we can go some way to bringing the story of Anne, the families, victims and survivors of Hillsborough to an even wider audience."

ITV's Polly Hill said: “This drama is dedicated to Anne Williams and her diligent and tireless campaign for truth and justice. She was an inspiration and I am so proud that ITV can tell her story and tell it so powerfully thanks to World Productions and this incredible team, with a special thanks to Maxine Peake for her phenomenal performance as Anne.”

The series has been developed with the support of Anne’s daughter, Sara, who was aged 9 when her brother died. Sara has carried on her Mum’s work and has assisted Kevin in the writing process.

Anne has been produced by World Productions and filmed on location in and around Liverpool.