RUTH MADELEY TO STAR IN BBC TWO FACTUAL DRAMA MARKING DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT

Marking the passing of the Disability Discrimination Act, Ruth Madeley stars in film based on the remarkable true story of the people behind an irrepressible campaign of direct action that lead to significant steps forward in the battle for disabled civil rights in Britain.

Written by multiple Bafta winner Jack Thorne and award-winning actor-turned-writer Genevieve Barr, the film tells the story through the eyes of Barbara Lisicki (Ruth Madeley) and Alan Holdsworth, two disabled cabaret performers who met at a gig in 1989 and would go on to become the driving force behind DAN - the Direct Action Network, whose fearless and coordinated protests pushed the campaign for disabled rights into the spotlight.

Ruth Madeley says: “To have the opportunity to play such an incredibly powerful character and tell such an important story is honestly a dream, especially within the context of disabled, deaf and neuro-diverse history. As soon as I saw the script I knew this was going to be something so special and I am couldn't be happier to work with Jack and Gen on a drama that deserves to be front and centre on screen.”

Patrick Holland, Director, Factual, Arts & Classical Music, says: “This is an incredible group of creatives who have come together to tell a remarkable and groundbreaking story. We couldn’t be more proud to commission this film for the BBC.”