Sky 1’s hugely successful adaptation of Martina Cole’s The Runaway is now out on DVD giving fans of the drama another chance to the gritty crime story.
The stellar cast is headed up by Alan Cumming in his first British TV role in fifteen years.
His challenge is to take on the role of Desrae, the flamboyant transvestite who takes the young runaway, Cathy Connor, played by debutant Joanna Vanderham, under her wing. Cumming and Vanderham are joined by Ken Scott (Messiah), Keith Allen (Robin Hood) and Jack O’Connell (Skins) to form an intriguing mix of characters.
When Cathy (Vanderham) is sent into care, it rips apart the fragile dreams she had with her childhood sweetheart, Eamonn Docherty, played by the edgy O’Connell, forcing her to choose a life on the streets of London’s Soho.
The runaway flees straight into the arms of Desrae, who helps her survive in the heart of London’s underworld. Left with little in his life Eamonn refuses to resist temptation and is drawn into a life of crime, fleeing to New York to escape his demons.
The story descends into a tale of sleaze as London reaches its murky climax in the 70’s, with police corruption, the IRA and industrial strikes capturing a nation’s mood that many will remember. The past is never far behind and as Cathy and Eamonn are drawn back together, it eventually catches up with them.
The series is also getting a Blu-ray release next week. You can order your copy today from the seenit.co.uk store.