Me+You Productions to Explore Story of Ashya King

British indie producer Me+You Productions has secured exclusive access to the family of Ashya King and is developing a three-part series that explores their story.

Saving Ashya tells the story of a young British boy who was diagnosed with a severe brain tumor in 2014. Against medical advice, his parents “abducted” him from his hospital bed and fled to Europe for an alternative, life-saving proton therapy. Initially, Ashya’s parents were publicly criticized and incarcerated. Ashya is now free of cancer and his case has subsequently changed the NHS’s treatment of children with such tumors.

Director Justin Chadwick, who helmed the Nelson Mandela biopic Long Walk to Freedom, is attached to direct Saving Ashya, which is written by Paul Viragh (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll; The Face of An Angel). Me+You’s co-founders, Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar, are executive producers, along with Chadwick. The producer is Josh Hyams (The Look of Love).

Brett King, father of Ashya King, said: “This is a great opportunity for us to tell the whole story. It will be a chance for everyone to understand the difficult decisions and choices we had to make. Without wishing to spoil the ending of the TV drama, Ashya is now doing brilliantly well, which goes to show we were right to take the actions we did. We’ve had lots of offers to turn our experience into a TV drama and we’re now confident we’re in great hands. We’re excited to see the final production.”

Majumdar said: “We are honored that the King family has entrusted us with their incredible story and we are excited to be working with the cinematic talents of Justin and Paul to bring it to the screen.”

Chadwick added: “This emotional true-life story throws the audience into the heart of a frightening and real situation. At what lengths would you go to save an ill child? Seen from the family and the health workers’ point of view, this story caught world attention and the controversy that surrounds it makes for a challenging, breath-taking modern drama. I’m excited to work with Paul and Me+You Productions, who have a great track record of making relevant contemporary stories that reflect the times we live in.”