BBC Two Sets Factual Drama Floodlights

BBC Two and BBC iPlayer are set to premiere Floodlights, a new feature-length single drama that tells the story of former professional footballer Andy Woodward.

From Expectation, the drama explores Woodward’s revelations about the sexual abuse he suffered as a youth player. It depicts his life—from a boy with a passion for football to a successful professional to a man who can no longer ignore the memories of the abuse he was subjected to by his youth coach.

In November 2016, Woodward went public about horrific sexual abuse by his youth coach, Barry Bennell, leading to a slew of other men speaking up about their similar experiences. Floodlights also examines the power and control held by Bennell, grooming young players and their families with the promise of making their dreams come true.

Floodlights will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this spring. BBC Studios will distribute the single drama internationally.

Floodlights is written by Matt Greenhalgh (Control, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool) and directed by Nick Rowland (Calm with Horses, Hard Sun). Gerard Kearns (The Last Kingdom, Shameless) portrays Andy Woodward, with Jonas Armstrong (Hollington Drive, The Bay), Morven Christie (Lockwood & Co, The A Word) and Steve Edge (Benidorm, The Madame Blanc Mysteries) also starring.

Woodward said: “Since speaking out in 2016, I’ve wanted to continue to encourage people to talk without fear, to make a change. Floodlights tells my story, which no child should ever have to go through. I hope this film helps to stop abuse in football and in all areas of life.”

Kearns said: “I am honored to be playing Andrew Woodward and hope that we have done his story justice.”

Greenhalgh said: “I was in the crowd at Maine Road when Bury FC beat my team, Manchester City, 0–1 in 1998. Andy Woodward was playing for Bury… and was outstanding. When his brutal story broke, I remember being stunned, not only by the magnanimity of his courage but by how this could happen in our national sport. His horrific revelations were undoubtedly a pivotal moment for football… but also for many, many men. Andy’s story more than deserves telling as drama, so that it can keep on telling and informing the next generation of parents and kids. And I am very proud to be part of his honorable fight to expose those who prey on children in any walk of life.”

Colin Barr, creative director of factual and factual drama at Expectation and executive producer, said: “Andy Woodward didn’t set out to be a hero, but he certainly became one. Growing up in the world of youth football in the ’80s, I witnessed firsthand the power coaches had over teenage players, and I can only imagine the courage it took for Andy to speak up, even years later. People didn’t see—or didn’t want to see—the shadow of abuse in the game, and only now are we beginning to understand the full horror of what happened. I hope this film is one more step toward acknowledging that and making sure it can never happen again.”