MP Jess Phillips' autobiography Everywoman to be turned into TV drama
A Manchester-based firm will "explore how an engaged woman can make a difference in today's very complicated world".
Wednesday 29 May 2019 16:16, UK
The life of an outspoken Labour MP is going to be turned into a television drama.
Jess Phillips' journey into politics as explained in her book Everywoman will be transferred to the small screen by a production company behind successful hits including Happy Valley and Queer as Folk.
The Manchester-based firm will create a drama that "explores how an engaged woman can make a difference in today's very complicated world".
It will work with an executive producer, whose credits include Black Mirror, to turn the autobiography into a drama.
Ms Phillips has earned a reputation for speaking her mind, having recently clashed with a protester over LGBT lessons in schools.
She said she was "utterly thrilled" at the TV deal with production company RED.
"They make the kind of television that truly represents people and events as they are and that was deeply important to me," Ms Phillips said.
"The story of women in politics is complex and nuanced and intriguing, and it's a story that needs telling."
She added that her husband and children had some "wild choices" about who should play her in the episode.
Nicola Shindler, executive producer of RED, called Ms Phillips an "inspirational woman who fights for what she believes in and isn't afraid to be honest and outspoken".
Ms Phillips worked for Women's Aid for five years and became Birmingham's first ever victims' champion before entering Parliament.
She has never held a frontbench role, having criticised leader Jeremy Corbyn over his approach to antisemitism and Brexit.
But she has been an outspoken backbencher, and served on the Commons' women and equalities select committee.