Terrifying Truth of Violence Against Women Unveiled in New BBC Play
A hard-hitting new 30-minute BBC adaptation of the acclaimed play Maryland sheds raw light on the harsh realities women face daily. Originally premiering at London’s Royal Court in 2021, the play tackles the grim topic of violence against women through a gripping fictional narrative inspired by real life.
Two Marys, One Harrowing Story
Starring Zawe Ashton and Hayley Squires as two women named Mary, the story unfolds at a police station where they meet after surviving sexual assaults. Supporting them is a fierce chorus of “Furies” who rage against the systemic injustices both on stage and in real life. Their powerful voices rail against the brutal treatment women endure, making it impossible to look away.
The adaptation is co-directed by Lucy Kirkwood and acclaimed documentary filmmaker Brian Hill, and it airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on July 20 at 10pm BST.
Playwright Lucy Kirkwood: “A Howl Against Normalised Violence”
“I wrote the original play as a howl against the way we have normalised violence against women as something to be accommodated by women themselves, rather than protested by all of us,” says Kirkwood.
She highlights the ongoing failures to protect women—especially women of colour—citing tragic cases like Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman, and Sabina Nessa. “I hope the film will breathe new life into that protest, but I wish it weren’t such an urgent conversation,” she adds.
Powerful Cast & Creatives Behind Maryland
- Hayley Squires as Mary
- Zawe Ashton as PC Mary Daniel
- May Daniel as PC Moody
- Justine Mitchell as Eddowes
- Zainab Hasan, Jennifer Joseph, Sarah Lam, Gabriella Leon, and Sarah Woodward as the Furies
Maryland is a BBC Film production by Century Films, produced by Caroline Levy. Directed by Lucy Kirkwood and Brian Hill. Executive producers include Vicky Featherstone and Lucy Morrison for the Royal Court, along with Suzy Klein and Rose Garnett for the BBC.
Suzy Klein, Head of Arts and Classical Music TV at the BBC, praises Kirkwood’s work as “one of the most trusted and sensitive voices in contemporary drama.” The play doesn’t offer easy fixes but forces viewers to confront one of the gravest social issues today.
