The star-studded series Best Interests has left viewers in tears after it landed on Netflix.
Best Interests has found a new streaming home and it is working its way up the Top 10 chart, leaving viewers feeling emotional.
The series stars Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen as a married couple with a teenage daughter, Marnie (Niamh Moriarty) who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy.
When she ends up in intensive care, Marnie’s doctor questions whether her treatment should continue and her parents are forced to fight for her welfare.
The harrowing series originally aired on BBC One back in June 2023 and it was nominated for a number of awards, winning Best Limited Series at the Banff Rockie Awards.
When it originally aired, actor Sheen admitted to The Guardian: “I’m more nervous than usual. I know it’s going to be a difficult watch.”
Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen star as a married couple
While the series is not based on a singular true story, it was inspired by real-life challenges, with Hollie Dance, the mother of Archie Battersbee who had his hospital life-support treatment withdrawn in August 2022, praising the show for highlighting the situation some parents face.
She told Radio Times: “It is important it’s highlighted. Because unless you go through this it’s impossible to understand what the parents are going through.”
After being found unconscious in April 2022, Archie suffered severe brain injuries and never regained consciousness. He received mechanical ventilation and drug treatment, but the hospital later said his life support should end, with his parents battling against the decision.
The show’s writer, Jack Thorne, said it “didn’t feel appropriate” to base the series on a specific real-life story, as it would be “too intrusive”.
Best Interests has been hailed “emotional and raw and entirely convincing”
Despite this, viewers found the series “terrific and powerful”, with one saying on IMDb reviews: “I’ll start by saying this is a very tough watch, if you or a loved one is in a similar position to anyone here, this may prove to be an uncomfortable watch, as it does deal with an incredibly sad and sensitive issue.
“This is the BBC at its best, this is an outstanding drama, I’ve said many times that drama works when it makes you think, question and feel, this show prompted several passionate discussions at work, all of us had different opinions. It’s evenly paced, sincere and perfectly believable.”
Another commented: “A powerful and heartbreaking drama, the only reason I could advise against seeing it is that it might break your heart.
“Michael Sheen is simply superlative, his performance is devastating, he managed to make me cry with disarming ease.”
A third fan called it “a moving drama about a heart-rending dilemma”, adding: “It’s impossible to watch this story and not be deeply moved as it examines one of those dilemmas every parent prays they’ll never face.
“It’s emotional and raw and entirely convincing, not the easiest watch but an essential one not to be overlooked.”
