Page 27 - Community Living Magazine 34-4

arts: TV

The prime suspect and care over a complex decision

A minor character becomes
the main suspect and a
prenatal dilemma is handled
sensitively on mainstream TV,
says Tracey Harding

Line of Duty
Series 6
BBC1

Unforgotten
Series 4
ITV

s the world eased back into some Writer Jed Mercurio insisted the term a diagnosis of Down syndrome, and the
sense of normality, the return of referred to a previous case the characters discussion that emanated from the
Afamiliar drama was reassuring were discussing, when it was used to handling of the script (How Emmerdale
and provided an interesting take on describe a suspect who was considered a got it so very wrong, spring 2021).
learning disability. loner and eccentric, and that the dialogue In contrast, another TV series chose to
The nation held its breath for series 6 of had no meaning or connotation that portray a Down syndrome diagnosis in a
Line of Duty on BBC1, and the first related to the character’s disability. more nuanced way, and also included a
episodes saw a peripheral character, Terry While it was refreshing to see a character storyline of family life with a child with
Boyle, returning to take centre stage and with a learning disability being given a learning disabilities.
grab more of the storyline. continuing role through the series, the next In the fourth series of Unforgotten on
The character of Boyle is played by step would be to cast an actor with ITV, one of the main suspects in an old
Tommy Jessop, who has Down syndrome learning disabilities in a mainstream role murder case being reinvestigated was
and has previously been interviewed in that is not written around their condition. Dean Barton (Andy Nyman) who shines as
Community Living about his role in a short Jessop has been raising awareness of a family man with a devoted wife and
film, Innocence (A killer role, autumn 2020). learning disabilities not just through his two sons.
In the first series, Boyle was an acting; he has backed the establishment He is a tireless charity worker for his son
acquaintance of a gang that cruelly of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Jack’s school. Jack (Rory Averdieck) has
exploited his learning difficulties and Down Syndrome. learning disabilities and, while Barton
manipulated him to use his flat to hide a The group was launched at its inaugural spends a lot of time with both sons, he
corpse in his freezer. meeting in Westminster on 12 May and finds the balance difficult and
In series 5, he was interviewed by the will be supported by the Down Syndrome overcompensates with Jack.
police for information and, in this series, Policy Group (www.dspg.uk). Advocacy and In the same series, another suspect –
becomes the prime suspect of the murder support groups will work with the cross- DCI Ram Sidhu (Phaldut Sharma) – struggles
of a journalist. party group of MPs to raise issues with impropriety alleged against him and
While the return of a character with affecting people with Down syndrome and what he considers is institutionalised
learning disabilities was great to see, it their families and carers, as well as to racism within the police force.
was not without controversy. promote equality and respect at all stages He chooses a drunken stupor over
The first episode saw Superintendent of life. discussing the blood test that will decide
Ted Hastings referring to Terry Boyle as Jessop said: ”I want to see people with the future of his wife’s pregnancy after a
the “local oddball”, and the BBC received Down syndrome treated equally with routine scan shows the baby may have
more than 300 complaints about the use others before and after they are born. Down syndrome.
of the phrase. “We are the only group of people in the She turns to him for support and advice,
However, the Down’s Syndrome UK where people try to end our lives but Sidhu struggles with the discussion,
Association said it was “fantastic” to see an before we are born – just because we have his emotions and the pressure to do the
actor with the condition in the show and Down syndrome. This is not fair. It scars our right thing.
felt this was the most important part of it. lives and causes mental health problems.” The way this was handled was in
A spokesperson told the MailOnline: complete contrast to the recent
“The reality is that people who have Unforgotten Emmerdale storyline. The oscillating views
Down’s syndrome sometimes do Jessop’s words remind us of the storyline of both parents as they absorbed the
experience hurtful language and we all in ITV soap opera Emmerdale, which news of the diagnosis gave a far more
have a responsibility to speak up when we caused controversy in the way it handled rounded and intelligent exploration of the
BBC witness this.” the termination of a pregnancy following issue than Emmerdale managed. n

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 34 No 4 | Summer 2021 27