Hard-Hitting New Play ‘Maryland’ Tackles Violence Against Women
‘Maryland’, a gripping 30-minute play, exposes the brutal reality women face daily. Originally debuting at London’s Royal Court in 2021, this powerful piece is a fictional response to real-life horrors.
Co-directed by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Brian Hill, the adaptation follows two ordinary women—both named Mary—and a fierce chorus of modern-day thugs who share their harrowing assault stories. Zawe Ashton and Hayley Squires star as the Marys, who cross paths in a police station after surviving sexual assaults.
Unflinching Drama to Air on BBC Two
The play’s cast, including a group known as the Furies, fiercely lashes out against the injustice women endure onstage and in real life. Catch ‘Maryland’ on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 10pm on July 20, BST.
“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 playwright Lucy Kirkwood.
She highlights the chilling reality that women—especially women of colour—can no longer count on law enforcement to protect or respect them. The piece responds to tragic deaths like Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman, and Sabina Nessa and the culture of fear girls are forced to accept.
“I hope the film will breathe new life into that protest, but I wish it weren’t such an urgent conversation,” Kirkwood adds.
BBC Praises Kirkwood’s Bold Social Justice Voice
Suzy Klein, Head of Arts and Classical Music TV at the BBC, hails Kirkwood as “one of the most exciting voices in British theatre, known for tackling social justice, climate change, and politics.”
“Maryland brings Lucy’s piercing vision to the critical issue of male violence against women. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but it’s impossible to look away from this powerful drama,” Klein says.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
- Hayley Squires as Mary
- Zawe Ashton as Mary
- Daniel Mayes and Justine Mitchell as PCs
- Zainab Hasan, Jennifer Joseph, Sarah Lam, Gabriella Leon, and Sarah Woodward as the Furies
Produced by Century Films for BBC Film, ‘Maryland’ is directed by Lucy Kirkwood and Brian Hill. Executive producers include Vicky Featherstone and Lucy Morrison for the Royal Court, alongside Suzy Klein and Rose Garnett for the BBC.
