Three Families

Editorial

BBC One West Midlands

Drama

The story behind the lifting of Northern Ireland’s restrictive abortion law in 2019.

In 2019, Northern Ireland’s restrictive abortion law was lifted. This two-part dramatisation tells the compelling real stories of the families behind the controversial campaign.

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Three Families: Series 1: Episode 1

Episode 1

Series 1

BBC One - Three Families, Series 1, Episode 1

A mother’s decision to help her teenage daughter has shocking consequences.

Northern Ireland, 2013. Under the strict abortion law in force here, a mother faces prison for helping her teenage daughter.

Northern Ireland, 2013. A mother is forced to question her own beliefs when her teenage daughter reveals she is pregnant. Intent only on protecting her child, Theresa makes a hard choice. But as word starts to get out, she discovers that she could face a prison sentence for breaking one of Northern Ireland’s most controversial laws. 

Young newlyweds Hannah and Jonathan are devastated when they learn that their much-wanted baby will not survive the pregnancy. In their grief, the couple speak to their doctor about their options, only to realise how limited their choices are.

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