THE star-studded cast from BBC’s Mother’s Day praised the remarkable determination and unwavering bravery of Wendy and Colin Parry during the northern premiere of the much-anticipated drama.

Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland) and Daniel Mays (Against The Law) were joined by script writer Nick Leather and director Fergus O’Brien during a question and answer session at the Peace Centre on Monday.

The 90-minute drama tells the story of two women living either side of the Irish sea, who are brought together following the tragic deaths of three-year-old Johnathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry in the Warrington bombing on March 20, 1993.

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure plays Susan McHugh, the real-life Dubliner who organised one of the largest peace rallies in Irish history in the wake of the bombing, while Maxwell Martin stepped into the shoes of Tim Parry’s grieving mum.

Warrington Guardian:

PICTURED: Daniel Mays and Anna Maxwell Martin

Mays told the audience at the exclusive screening that this was one of the toughest roles he has played.

“I’d have to live on Mars to not be emotionally moved by the story when you first come to it,” he said.

“I have a 12-year-old son of my own and that wasn’t lost on me when playing Colin.

“You have to place yourself in a position of conjuring a smidgen of the emotion that Colin and Wendy must have gone through – that was the biggest challenge and a huge amount of pressure comes from that.”

Maxwell Martin added: “You are trying to represent a story in the most honest and truth way that you can and be respectful [to those involved]”

During the invite-only screening, O’Brien welcomed the guests, who were some of the first people to watch the drama.

He described it as an honour to hold the premiere at the iconic Peace Centre – a lasting legacy to Tim and Johnathan.

He said: “The murder of those two boys in Warrington in March 1993 and the legacy that stemmed from that tragedy is at the heart of this film and is the reason that this incredible Peace Foundation exists and can carry out its crucial work.

“Needless to say absolutely nothing can be got from the loss of Tim and Johnathan.

“But to paraphrase Colin Parry’s eulogy at the funeral of Tim, if his son’s death can play a part in bringing an end to the violence of the Troubles between northern Ireland and Britain then that will be Tim’s unique achievement.

“I think you will all agree that those brave and beautiful words have born fruit.

“The killing of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball struck a deep and emotional cord with ordinary people on both sides of the Irish Sea.”

Susan McHugh was along those who attended the premiere along with her husband Arthur and friend Pam, who all feature in the drama.

The programme is expected to be broadcast on BBC Two on September 3.