Jack Thorne's BBC drama Best Interests, starring Michael Sheen and Sharon Horgan, has climbed into Netflix's top 10 TV shows, drawing renewed attention to its harrowing portrayal of parents fighting to keep their teenage daughter on life support.
Plot and Cast
The four-part series follows Andrew (Sheen) and Nicci (Horgan) as they battle to prevent treatment being withdrawn from their daughter Marnie (Niamh Moriarty), who is left brain-damaged and comatose due to a rare form of muscular dystrophy diagnosed in infancy. The family's world, including Marnie's older sister Katie (Alison Oliver), revolves around hospital visits, treatments, and a courtroom battle triggered by doctor Samantha (Noma Dumezweni) suggesting it may be time to stop treating her.
Real-Life Inspiration
The show draws from real-life cases like Charlie Gard and Archie Battersbee, whose parents lost legal fights to continue life support. Thorne told Deadline he avoided taking sides, saying: 'I was tying myself in knots about how to do Best Interests, and then I realised it could be parents on either side. As soon as it was that, everything unfolded. It was a lightbulb moment.'
Critical Acclaim
Originally aired in 2023, the series earned a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its emotional yet never melodramatic approach. The Times wrote: 'We see, inch by inch, exactly what these parents are losing. I defy anyone not to cry.' Moriarty, who has cerebral palsy in her legs, said she became obsessed with landing the role after a self-tape, adding: 'Everyone involved in Best Interests was so proud of the story that we were telling because most people on that set had a personal connection to the story.'
Streaming Availability
Best Interests is available to stream on Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
