
BBC iPlayer adds ‘heartbreaking' Emma Thompson film
Emma Thompson is as inspiring as ever in this riveting real-life drama now streaming on BBC iPlayer
One of Emma Thompson's best roles in an acclaimed drama film based on a heartbreaking true story is now streaming for free.
Based on an acclaimed novel by Ian McEwan, in turn loosely inspired by an unbelievable true story, The Children Act is a must-watch for cinephiles this week.
If you want to be stunned and deeply moved at every turn, look no further than BBC iPlayer from Monday night as the film will be available shortly after its broadcast on BBC Two.
That means you'll be able to tune in totally free of charge and have your world shaken over the course of this heart-stopping, 90-minute drama.
Hollywood star Stanley Tucci also features in this gripping narrative about High Court judge Fiona Maye, who is forced to decide the fate of a teenage boy (played by Fionn Whitehead) refusing a blood transfusion that could save his life on religious grounds.
Meanwhile, her marriage to husband Jack (Tucci) is crumbling, putting everything she's built towards at risk during the most pivotal point of her career.
Critics and film fans alike have been raving about The Children Act since its release in 2017, with the BFI calling it 'a heartbreaking lament for loves lost and lives unrealised, a restrained, nuanced movie about nuance and restraint.'
The Guardian added: 'It is a highly watchable drama of the highly educated public-servant class.
'Emma Thompson's performance, so elegant and vulnerable, carries the picture.'
A Google review raved: 'I was so moved by Thompson's performance, that I revisited this film for 4 viewings. The young man, Fionn Whitehead was as engaging as a seasoned actor twice his age.'
Another five-star write-up said: 'Beautiful. That was the first word that came to mind when I watched this movie.
'The execution was simply marvelous. Somehow these people managed to become the characters and bring out such raw emotion whilst being formal and well mannered.
"The crew definitely aced it with this one. Bravo!'
And a strong review on Letterboxd declared: 'Emma Thompson broke my heart in this absorbing drama that will definitely stick with me.'
With the unbeatable Thompson in the lead, now's the perfect time to catch up on an underrated performance from one of the UK's best performers.
The Children Act is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Winners of Race Across The World 2025 crowned
Housewife Caroline, 60, and 21-year-old Tom became the first mother-and-son team to win after reaching the final checkpoint in Kanniyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India, to claim their £20,000 prize. Four teams in the 14,100km (8,761-mile) race successfully crossed Asia, the world's largest continent, to make it to the finish line. During Wednesday's episode, Caroline and Tom had to find Vattakottai Fort where the final sign-in book was waiting. After turning the page to discover they were the first team to make it to the landmark they hugged, overcome with emotion. Writing their names in the book, Tom said: 'That's a really good feeling, I'm lost for words, I can't believe it. 'Fifty-one days racing through countries I never thought I'd go to. 'I never thought we'd come this far, I never thought we'd achieve so much and I've never been prouder of my mum – she got me through it.' Sisters Elizabeth and Letitia came second, just 19 minutes behind the winners, with teenage couple Fin and Sioned third. Brothers Brian and Melvyn arrived in fourth place, three hours and five minutes behind Caroline and Tom. The winning pair began the last leg in the lead, six hours and 54 minutes ahead of Elizabeth and Letitia. They started from the seventh checkpoint, Panaji in Goa with just over 1,000km (600 miles) to traverse across the southern Indian states to reach the finish line. Reflecting on their win, Tom said the race was 'the best experience of my life'. Caroline said: 'We've learnt so much, we've enjoyed it and to actually win it as well as to have the experience is the best thing that could have happened to us.' The contestants traversed areas of China, Nepal and India, covering more than 14,000km over 51 days. The teams will reunite for a special episode airing at 9pm on Wednesday June 18 on BBC One where they will reflect on the race and the impact it has had on their lives. All eight episodes of Race Across The World are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Rhyl Journal
4 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Winners of Race Across The World 2025 crowned
Housewife Caroline, 60, and 21-year-old Tom became the first mother-and-son team to win after reaching the final checkpoint in Kanniyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India, to claim their £20,000 prize. Four teams in the 14,100km (8,761-mile) race successfully crossed Asia, the world's largest continent, to make it to the finish line. During Wednesday's episode, Caroline and Tom had to find Vattakottai Fort where the final sign-in book was waiting. After turning the page to discover they were the first team to make it to the landmark they hugged, overcome with emotion. Writing their names in the book, Tom said: 'That's a really good feeling, I'm lost for words, I can't believe it. 'Fifty-one days racing through countries I never thought I'd go to. 'I never thought we'd come this far, I never thought we'd achieve so much and I've never been prouder of my mum – she got me through it.' Sisters Elizabeth and Letitia came second, just 19 minutes behind the winners, with teenage couple Fin and Sioned third. Brothers Brian and Melvyn arrived in fourth place, three hours and five minutes behind Caroline and Tom. The winning pair began the last leg in the lead, six hours and 54 minutes ahead of Elizabeth and Letitia. They started from the seventh checkpoint, Panaji in Goa with just over 1,000km (600 miles) to traverse across the southern Indian states to reach the finish line. Reflecting on their win, Tom said the race was 'the best experience of my life'. Caroline said: 'We've learnt so much, we've enjoyed it and to actually win it as well as to have the experience is the best thing that could have happened to us.' The contestants traversed areas of China, Nepal and India, covering more than 14,000km over 51 days. The teams will reunite for a special episode airing at 9pm on Wednesday June 18 on BBC One where they will reflect on the race and the impact it has had on their lives. All eight episodes of Race Across The World are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.


Evening Standard
5 hours ago
- Evening Standard
Race Across the World season five is over! Who won?
Still craving your fix of Race Across the World action? Don't worry – there's always the reunion episode next week, and we'll likely see a return of the celeb edition later this year. And in the meantime, there are all the other seasons to binge on BBC iPlayer too.