With Lindsey Duncan as its lead, Truelove on Channel 4 asks whether you’d help a friend to end their misery. Jam-packed with other stars too, including Sue Johnston, Phil Davis and Clarke Peters, the six-part series is made by Clerkenwell Films, the team behind comedy-drama hit The End of the F***ing World.
The drama had previously cast Julie Walters but sadly she is battling advanced bowel cancer and had to be replaced by Lindsey.
Truelove follows a group of old friends reunited at a funeral. Julie Walters plays Phil, an ex-senior police chief enjoying her somewhat boring retirement, who comes face to face with old flame Ken (Clarke Peters). And it’s not long before the pair realise they never quite got over one another. After a few drinks, the chat gets deep and they make a pact, along with the rest of the gang, to help one another have dignified deaths when the time comes. But the time comes sooner than they think.
Here's all you need to know about Truelove on Channel 4...
Truelove release date
Truelove is six-episode drama that will start with a double bill on Channel 4 on Wednesday January 3 2024 at 9pm then the next episode is Thursday January 4 at 9pm. Subsequent episodes are on the following Wednesdays and Thursdays at the same time.
Is there a trailer for Truelove?
Yes there's a Truelove trailer which shows just what an emotional drama this is going to be. TAke a look below...
Truelove plot
In Truelove, Lindsey Duncan plays Phil, an ex-senior police chief who is in the midst of her retirement. At a friend’s funeral she bumps into her teenage sweetheart Ken (played by Clarke Peters) who is now an ex-special forces veteran and divorcee. The pair never really got over their feelings for one another and both feel a little at sea in their retirement.
At the funeral, the drinks flow and soon the pair and their friends start talking about their own deaths. And they make a drunken pact that if any of them are suffering a slow and terrible decline, they will step in to help them have a dignified death. But what starts out as a fanciful idea soon becomes a shocking reality. And they are all left wondering if it’s ever right to end a life? Can these pensioners take back control of their lives during their twilight years?
“If your friend reached a soul-destroying level of decrepitude, could you help them transition, if asked?” says Clarke Peters. “Would it be right, would it be noble, could you do it? Which of that internal triumvirate do you listen to — your head, heart or soul? You know it is illegal in law and scripture to take a life, but could you do it? These scripts explore that moral dilemma in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s funny, it’s dark and it’s full of twists and turns. And DAMN! To tell this story, with this cast, was something I would have dreaded missing out on… Roll on “action”!”
Truelove cast — Lindsey Duncan on playing Phil
Lindsey Duncan plays former police officer Phil in Truelove.
"Ken and Phil don’t expect this situation. When they made the pact in the pub everyone was drunk and filled with emotion,’" says A Discovery of Witches star, Lindsay Duncan, 73. ‘This is an unusual thriller as it spans long-standing friendships, marriage and a smouldering love affair.
"Phil was a high ranking deputy chief constable, so she’s tough," explains Lindsay. "You see her giving Ken instructions about how things should be done - but he disobeys!"
*Scottish actress Lindsey Duncan has previously starred in dramas such as Merlin, The Sinking of The Laconia, Doctor Who and Around The World in 80 Days.
Clarke Peters on playing Ken
In Truelove, Clarke Peters plays Phil's ex-flame Ken. "There was a wonderful sense of support on set, we had so much to talk about," says The Wire’s Clarke, 71, who was originally paired with Julie Walters for the roles of Ken and Phil. Sadly the National Treasure star stepped down from filming after being diagnosed with cancer. "I’m really sorry Julie didn’t do it, but I’m also glad that Lindsay was the one to step in. Working with both of them was wonderful, as they had different approaches to the piece."
* Clarke Peters is best known for his role as Detective Lester Freamon in the hit series The Wire. He’s also starred in Life on Mars, Marley & Me, Doctor Who, Holby City and Damages. He played Nelson Mandela in the TV movie Mandela: The Prison Years and starred as Sonny in The Tunnel. He was also in the huge movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Clarke plays Josiah in The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Who else is starring in Truelove?
Truelove also features The Royle Family, Brookside and Time star Sue Johnston, alongside Phil Davis (Whitechapel, Poldark), Peter Egan (Unforgotten, After Life), Karl Johnson (Mum), Fiona Button (The Split) and Kiran Sonia Sawar (Murdered by My Father).
Truelove locations
Truelove filmed scenes in Burnham on Sea with scenes taking place on boats. Filming also took place on the beach next to Burnham Sailing Club and the pontoons.
Is there a trailer for Truelove?
No, not yet but we can’t wait to see what's in store. When Channel 4 do release a trailer we’ll post it on this page.
