Butterfly, ITV: Everything you need to know about Anna Friel's new 'game-changing' drama

The three-part miniseries begins Sunday
Natasha Sporn14 October 2018

Butterfly begins on ITV tonight and is set to send social media a flutter with its inspiring storyline.

The miniseries, written by Tony Marchant, stars Marcella’s Anna Friel as mum Vicky and Hollyoaks villain Emmett J Scanlan as dad Stephen, parents to 11-year-old Max who identifies as a girl.

Max has always dressed as a girl and considered herself female at home, but tried to suppress feelings to earn the love of Stephen. But as puberty approaches, Max wants to be accepted living as Maxine to be truly happy, causing some friction between her separated parents.

Ahead of the first of three episodes, here is everything you need to know about Butterfly…

Motherly love: Anna Friel with her onscreen daughter played by Callum Booth-Ford (ITV)

What is Butterfly about?

Determined to fit in with her father’s vision of a “son”, Max has grappled with feelings about her gender and sex – privately dressing as a girl at home but wanting to have a relationship with her father, who separated from Vicky years ago.

Nearing puberty, Max becomes increasingly distressed and determined to live as Maxine – just as Stephen takes the opportunity to move back into the family home for some “male bonding time”.

Vicky and Stephen have very different views on Max and her transgender identity, which proves to be the biggest test yet in their already fractured relationship.

Butterfly: The new miniseries airs on ITV
ITV

Who stars in Butterfly?

Alongside main characters Friel and Scanlan, youngster Callum Booth-Ford stars as Maxine while Millie Gibson is the supportive sibling Lily.

Gavin and Stacey favourite Alison Steadman will star as Grandma and Vicky’s mother Barbara while Sean McGinley is Peter, Stephen’s father.

When is Butterfly on?

Butterfly begins Sunday October 14 at 9pm on ITV.

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