Floodlights, a feature-length single drama, tells the impactful and important story of Andy Woodward, the former professional footballer whose brave revelations about the sexual abuse he suffered as a youth player sent shockwaves throughout the industry and across the globe.
In November 2016, Andy found the strength to go public about sexual abuse by his youth coach, Barry Bennell. After doing so, hundreds more men, many also victims of Bennell, found the courage to speak up about their experiences of abuse, lifting the lid on a national scandal in the country’s most popular sport.
The factual drama depicts Andy’s life, from a boy with a passion for the game to a successful professional footballer who seemingly has the world at his feet, until, no longer able to ignore the haunting memories of the abuse he was subject to by his youth coach, his career is cut short. It examines the power and control held by Bennell, grooming young players and their families with the promise of making their dreams come true.
Written by Matt Greenhalgh (Control, Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool) and directed by Nick Rowland (Calm With Horses, Hard Sun), it stars Gerard Kearns (The Last Kingdom, Shameless), Jonas Armstrong (Hollington Drive, The Bay), Morven Christie (Lockwood & Co, The A Word) and Steve Edge (Benidorm, The Madame Blanc Mysteries).
May 17 @ 21:00
21:00 — 22:20 (1h 20′)
BBC Two