ITV commissions festive drama, Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me
21/04/2011
ITV today announced the commissioning of Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me, a 1 X 90 minute drama written by Christopher Dunlop (Cape Wrath, No Angels) and produced by STV for ITV1.
Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me will be directed by David Richards (The Runaway, Albert’s Memorial). The producer is Madonna Baptiste (Long Walk to Finchley, Mrs Mandela) and the executive producer for STV is Margaret Enefer (Taggart, Death in Holy Orders).
Jonathan Donald, early 30s, is a wealthy, brash, over-confident luxury car dealer who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. After being found guilty of a drink driving charge, Jonathan expects to get off lightly but instead receives a community service order in the run up to Christmas, 60 hours with The Moonbeam Club, a support organisation for young adults with social and behavioural difficulties run by recently widowed, Laura Cooper.
After a disastrous first day, Jonathan is sent packing by Laura, she and the group have no use for him and his prejudice. But Jonathan is forced to return by an even less impressed Judge, who serves him a longer order.
Jonathan’s attitude and commitment begins to change as he gets to know one of the club’s member’s – eighteen year old Freddie Copeland. Feisty, an expert with gadgets and a demon on the PlayStation, Jonathan is shocked to learn Freddie suffers from kidney disease and genetic heart condition which means he’ll be lucky to survive the next couple of months.
One of Freddie’s dreams is to have his own idea of a perfect Christmas. But having grown up in various care homes Freddie knows his dream is unlikely to come true, especially since he’s never had the courage to make contact with his real mother.
Against Laura’s careful advice, Jonathan decides to take it upon himself to give Freddie the Christmas he’s always dreamed of. But can he make the impossible possible and make his final Christmas the best Freddie has ever had?
Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me will be filmed on location in London in May.
Fast Freddie the Widow and Me has been commissioned by the Director of Drama Commissioning, Laura Mackie, and the Controller of Drama Commissioning, Sally Haynes.
"I'm delighted that we are working with STV on Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me. Christopher Dunlop has written a funny, heart-warming and evocative story that will be a real treat for the festive season” said Sally.
Margaret Enefer, Head of Drama for STV and executive producer of Fast Freddie the Widow and Me comments:
"We're really pleased ITV have commissioned Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me. It's a fabulous script with great warmth and charm and we think it'll be a real Christmas cracker of a film!"
Writer Christopher Dunlop said: "I've always wanted to write about the magic of Christmas colliding with the way we torment ourselves trying to make that one day perfect. Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me creates an idyllic family Christmas from the most unlikely collection of characters who in the process, rediscover faith in life, love and hope for the future."
An STV production for ITV1.