Shane Meadows returns to Channel 4 with a powerful new four-part drama co-written by Jack Thorne that tackles themes of repressed memory, revenge and the hope of redemption.
Bafta Award-nominated Stephen Graham is Joseph, a painter-decorator and recovering alcoholic in Sheffield, who falls into despair when his nine-year-old son leaves for Australia with his ex. Suffering the hangover from hell, he walks away from his present life and boards a boat bound for Ireland to confront hazy, fear-inducing memories from a childhood spent in the care system that he’s had to forget.
After a long journey Joseph (Graham) arrives in Ballybraigh where he has an emotional reunion with an important person from his childhood, and is introduced to a new family. Also starring Helen Behan, Niamh Algar, Frank Laverty and Mark O’Halloran.
The Virtues – Wednesday at 9.00pm on Channel 4.