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Written by Sean Buckley (Skins), Responsible Child takes us inside a young boy’s experience of the legal system, asking powerful questions about responsibility and redemption.
Based on a true story, Responsible Child is the story of Ray, a 12-year-old boy on trial for murder. Billy Barratt (Blinded by the Light, The White Princess) takes the titular role and is joined by Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones, Suits), Tom Burke (The Souvenir, Strike) and Stephen Campbell Moore (The History Boys, The Last Post).
Told in two-time frames, Responsible Child follows both the events that led up to the murder and the unfolding drama of the trial. Ray and his 23-year-old brother Nathan (James Tarpey) are arrested after stabbing their mother’s partner. Whatever the circumstances that have led a child to kill, the law is clear: the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 and, at 12 years old, Ray must stand trial in adult court.
Responsible Child is directed by BAFTA award-winning documentary maker Nick Holt (Between Life and Death, The Murder Trial), who makes his drama directorial debut. It is produced by Elinor Day (Killing Eve) and also stars Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve), Shaun Dingwall (Noughts and Crosses, Topboy), Debbie Honeywood (Sorry We Missed You, Vera) and James Tarpey (Our Robot Overlords).
