AFTER THOMAS

23 December, 2006 by The_Boss

Keeley Hawes (Spooks, Under The Greenwood Tree, Tipping The Velvet), Ben Miles (Coupling, Prime Suspect, The Forsyte Saga) and Sheila Hancock star in After Thomas, a true story of one couple’s struggle to meet the challenges of their child’s autism.

Kyle Graham (Andrew Byrne) is scared. Not of monsters under the bed like any average six-year-old, but of just about everything. And he can’t communicate his fears. His mother Nicola (Hawes) knows that Kyle wants to be left alone, safe and secure in his autistic world. But she also fears for his future if he continues to reject all emotional interaction. Her fierce determination to break into Kyle’s world has placed an intolerable strain on her marriage, as her husband Rob (Miles), although equally devoted to his son, is frustrated by Nicola’s relentless challenging of Kyle’s condition.

Into this maelstrom of conflict comes Thomas, a golden retriever puppy. Nothing could prepare Nicola and Rob for how Thomas unlocks the door to a personality they never knew their son had. What follows is a fascinating and moving tale of two parents who, at breaking point, find hope they never dared to dream of. Gritty and real, funny and heart-warming, After Thomas is an uplifting and moving true story.

Following a six month search and over 150 auditions, six-year-old Byrne makes his acting debut as Kyle. Hancock plays Nicola’s mother Pat with Duncan Preston (Acorn Antiques, Dinnerladies) as her father Jim and Lorraine Pilkington (Monarch Of The Glen) as Rob’s friend Rachel.


After Thomas is written by Lindsey Hill, directed by Simon Shore (Things To Do Before You’re 30) and produced by Elaine Cameron (Wonderful You, Border Cafe). The Executive Producer is Beryl Vertue.