''The Children'' is a three-part thriller first shown on

ITV ITV or iTV may refer to: ITV *Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of: ** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...

on 1 September 2008. Starring

Kevin Whately Kevin Whately (born 6 February 1951) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Neville "Nev" Hope in the British comedy drama '' Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'', Robert "Robbie" Lewis in the crime dramas '' Inspector Morse'' 1987–2000 an ...

and

Geraldine Somerville Geraldine Margaret Agnew-Somerville (born 19 May 1967) is an Irish actress. She is known for her roles in the film ''Gosford Park'' (2001) and the ''Harry Potter'' film series (2001–2011). Her other roles have included ''My Week with Marily ...

, and written by

Lucy Gannon Lucy Gannon (born 1948) is a British playwright and television writer, and producer. She was the recipient of the 1989-90 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Life Lucy Gannon once worked as a military policewoman, a residential social worker, and a nurse ...

, the story focuses on the murder of an eight-year-old girl, who is found on the patio of her home, and the subsequent investigation to discover which one of the adults who cared for her could have killed her. The series was released on DVD on 26 December 2008.

Plot

The series centres on the dysfunctional lives of Cameron, Sue, Sue's daughter, Emily, Sue's ex-husband and DJ Paul, his new girlfriend Natasha, Cameron's ex-wife Anne and their son Jack. The main plot follows Cameron's family life at home, dealing with life living as a step family. The plot is told in a backwards flashback mode. Arguments and tensions rise throughout the story, and eventually, following her strange and naughty behaviour, little Emily is killed. Any one of the adults could have been responsible – and were all placed at the scene. As the plot reaches its climax, Cameron is shown hitting Emily and accidentally smashing her through a glass patio door, however there is a twist to the tale as all the suspects are then seen killing her one by one – all except one of them. Natasha, the only character not seen killing Emily, is seen crying and sobbing whilst shouting "I'm sorry". This scene was particularly disliked by some critics, because viewers were not shown how or indeed why, or if, Natasha killed her. That, however, said the writer, was the crux of the drama, that any one of them could have, and that her position within her family had become so marginalized that she was, at times, perceived as a nuisance or problem by all of them.

Cast

as Cameron Miller *

as Sue Miller *

Ian Puleston-Davies Ian Puleston-Davies (born 6 September 1958) is a Welsh actor and writer. He is best known for his role as builder Owen Armstrong in the ITV (TV network), ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' from 2010 to 2015. In November 2014, ITV announced ...

as Paul Sutton *

Lesley Sharp Lesley Sharp is an English stage, film and television actress whose roles on British television include ''Clocking Off'' (2000–2001), ''Bob & Rose'' (2001) and ''Afterlife'' (2005–2006). She was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress ...

as Anne Miller *

Kate Ashfield Kate Ashfield (born 28 May 1972) is an English actress, who has appeared in stage, TV and film roles, most famously in her role as Liz in the 2004 zombie comedy ''Shaun of the Dead''. She is the co-writer of the 2017 TV series ''Born to Kill''. ...

as Natasha Sutton *

Freddie Boath Frederick William Boath (born 6 May 1991) is an English actor best known for his role as Alex O'Connell in ''The Mummy Returns'' (2001). He now works as a marketing and advertising professional. Career He was replaced for the role of Alex O'C ...

as Jack Miller * Michael Begley as D.S. Bliss * David Maybrick as D.C.I. Goodier *

Leanne Lakey Leanne Lakey (born May 1978) is a British actress, known for playing Belinda Peacock in ''EastEnders'' and Charlotte Day in ''Family Affairs''. Background Lakey originally trained to be a dancer, and is accomplished at jazz, ballroom and balle ...

as D.C. Morton * Andrew Brooke as P.C. Warrior * Pascale Burgess as P.C. Cardigan * Karen Bryson as P.C. Yearsley * Simon Trinder as P.C. Rook *

Sinead Michael Sky Smith is a fictional character in the British children's science fiction television series ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'', a spin-off of the long-running series '' Doctor Who'', played by Sinead Michael. She appears as a regular in the show' ...

as Emily

Episodes

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Children, The 2008 British television series debuts 2008 British television series endings 2000s British drama television series 2000s British crime television series 2000s British television miniseries English-language television shows Serial drama television series ITV television dramas Television shows set in Hertfordshire