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Walters to star in BBC1 assisted suicide drama

Published Friday 18 July 2008 at 12:25 by Matthew Hemley

Julie Walters is to star in a new BBC1 drama about a woman diagnosed with a critical illness who decides to take her own life.

Written by Frank McGuinness, A Short Stay in Switzerland is inspired by the true story of Dr Anne Turner, a retired doctor who took her own life with the help of staff at a Swiss clinic.

McGuinness said: “As a doctor Anne Turner lived and worked by her principles, and she chose to die by them. This film recognises that rare courage.”

The drama begins filming in London later this summer, for transmission in winter 2009.

Kate Harwood, BBC controller of series and serials, said: “One of Ireland’s foremost dramatists, Frank brings a lightness of touch, dark wit and a heart-wrenching humanity to this piece.”

A Short Stay In Switzerland is being made by the BBC and was commissioned by Jane Tranter, controller of BBC fiction.

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