Care, the BBC drama that first aired in 2018, is coming to Netflix soon – and it's currently sitting in the streamer's "worth the wait" section. It boasts an impressive cast, including Sheridan Smith, Alison Steadman (Gavin and Stacey), and Sinéad Keenan (Unforgotten), and centres on a single mum who suddenly ends up having to care for her mother following a stroke.
The 90-minute drama was from creator and writer Jimmy McGovern (whose other TV credits include the acclaimed prison drama Time, and the more-recent BBC feature-length drama Unforgivable), and it was co-written with newcomer Gillian Juckes.
The synopsis, previously released by the BBC, revealed that Sheridan Smith plays the character of Jenny, a single mother of two girls. Her own mother Mary (Steadman) is her lifeline; Mary's help with childcare allows Jenny to hold down her full-time job. But when Mary suffers a devastating stroke and then develops dementia, their world comes crashing down. Everything then changes for Mary, Jenny and her sister Claire (played by Keenan).
"Finding herself torn between her own life and the wellbeing of her mother, Jenny soon discovers that another way could be possible – but she'll have to fight for it," Care's description adds.
Care was quite widely praised at the time of its release. Guardian's four-star review said that "Sheridan Smith excels" in the "delicately observed drama", also arguing that "Smith's performance is her best yet", at the time of its release.
The i Paper awarded the show five stars, branding it another "gruelling blend of political and human drama from Jimmy McGovern". Meanwhile, Independent said it was "difficult viewing", going on to say: "Care is an agonising trip through this most horrendous of experiences..."
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With it due to drop on Netflix, Care will likely reach a whole new audience. Popular British star Sheridan Smith has more-recently been seen in ITV's I Fought the Law, and the Paramount+ thriller The Castaways.
Meanwhile Sinéad Keenan has just starred in a brand-new Netflix murder mystery series, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, created by Lisa McGee (previously behind Derry Girls). She also stars in ITV's beloved crime series Unforgotten, having taken over as the new co-lead following Nicola Walker's exit.
We just reported that the first four seasons of Unforgotten are leaving Netflix in a matter of days, but the box set is available on ITVX – and well worth the watch, before the new season arrives.
Care will arrive to Netflix soon.
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TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
