Just Henry TV Drama for ITV

 

Just Henry DVDAdapted from Michelle Magorian’s Costa Book Prize winning novel, Just Henry is a drama set in post-Second World War. It premiered on ITV1 on 18 December, 2011.

Henry’s life has not been easy. Having lost his father in the war and seen his mother remarry soon after, the youngster has become troubled, suffering nightmares and taking no interest in his education. But when his father’s posthumous medal for bravery arrives in the post, he decides to go searching for answers about his death, leading to a series of surprises. Josh Bolt leads the cast, which includes Dean Andrews, Elaine Cassidy, Stephen Campbell Moore, Barbara Flynn, Sheila Hancock, John Henshaw and Pooky Quesnel.


 

Radio Times Review by: Jane Rackham

Henry is struggling to come to terms with the death of his father, a war hero and, according to Henry’s paternal grandmother, all round nice guy. Then Henry mysteriously receives his dad’s medal in the post and starts asking questions — getting answers he’s not always happy to hear.

Based on Michelle Magorian’s novel set in the years just after the Second World War, it’s shot through with glorious film references from the period. You’ll see where the story’s heading immediately, but it’s an absorbing slice of nostalgia starring Nowhere Boy’s Josh Bolt, with Elaine Cassidy and Barbara Flynn. Sheila Hancock is mesmerising as the misguided, meddling gran.

 

MIchelle Magorian on the set of Just Henry with some cast members
Michelle with some cast members on the set of Just Henry

Cast
Henry: Josh Bolt
Grace: Charlie May-Clark
Charlie:John Henshaw
Maureen:Elaine Cassidy
Bill: Dean Andrews
Gran: Sheila Hancock
Paul Jeffries: Perry Millward
Mrs Beaumont: Barbara Flynn
Mrs Jeffries: Pooky Quesnel
Joey Dodge: Stephen Campbell Moore
Insp Titmuss: Simon Kunz
Movie fan: Victoria Connett
Movie fan: Sarah Price
Photographer: John Draycott
Boy: Connor Ryan<
Waitress: Jayne Tunnicliffe
Headmaster: Dave Dutton
Priest: Jim Whelan

Crew
Adapted By: Michael Chaplin
Director: David Moore
Executive Producer: Myar Craig-Brown
Producer: Paul Frift
Writer: Michelle Magorian