Anthony viewers praise "heartbreaking" BBC drama for "not pulling punches"
Anthony, a brand new BBC drama, has been praised by viewers for "not pulling punches" when it comes to its "heartbreaking" story.
Developed for the small screen by Accused creator Jimmy McGovern, the 90-minute special mixes fact and fiction to imagine the things Black A-level student Anthony Walker – who was killed in 2005 – could have gone on to do had he not been the target of a racist attack when he was just 18 years old.
Related: Anthony star Toheeb Jimoh explains why the BBC One drama is "important"
Its first hour recounts significant events in Anthony's alternate reality in reverse chronological order, from his acceptance of an award at age 25, to having his first child at 23 and getting married the year before that.
It notes how basketball-loving Anthony (played by Toheeb Jimoh) wanted to have a career in civil rights and move to New York, as well as how his presence would have had an overwhelmingly positive impact on those around him.
Its final 30 minutes leans into Walker's tragic real-life history, however, depicting the teen and two of his pals being verbally abused and then chased by two aggressive white men. Despite their best efforts to get away, Walker is the only one of the trio that doesn't make it home safely.
Related: How Anthony on BBC One merged fact and fiction to create a powerful story about loss
"I applaud the BBC for not pulling punches with this narrative," one viewer gushed. "Completely heartbreaking but a story that absolutely needs to be told."
"What a heartbreaking tribute to who, and what, Anthony Walker could have become. Not naming his killers was powerful in its absence," another added.
"[Anthony] was gut-wrenching and devastating. Such a powerful telling of the life that Anthony Walker should have lived. I'm in bits," Capital radio star Vick Hope wrote. "Please watch on @BBCiPlayer if you missed it, this is exactly why we must keep fighting for a world where this cannot happen."
Check out more reactions below...
Watched #Anthony a very moving, powerful and heart breaking drama, left feeling what a waste of a life
— Hina Desai (@HinaDesaii) July 27, 2020
Very heartbreaking watching #Anthony #BBCONE I CRIED! 😢 😭PERFECTLY ACTED AND DIRECTED. REST IN PEACE #ANTHONYWALKER #GEEWALKER Raised a handsome young man.
If you haven't watched it catch it on BBC I player! @Toheeb_Jimoh1— Jade (@JadeCBlake) July 27, 2020
Anthony, tonight on @bbc - an incredible piece of television, a heartbreaking picture of the life #AnthonyWalker should have been able to have.
Brilliant as ever from Jimmy McGovern and @LAProductionsUK— Ian Salmon (@IanRSalmon) July 27, 2020
Harrowing, anxiety inducing, frightening and supremely acted.
The all too familiar tale of the deadly consequences of racism in the UK.
The most incredible television in many a year.
Anthony. pic.twitter.com/IQhsLWSPcB— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) July 27, 2020
Wow @BBC such a 💔💔 story to see what his life could have been like if it wasn’t so cruelly taken away & people think that racism doesn’t exist in the UK #Anthony #blacklivesmatter #EndRacism
— Louise Prescott (@LoulaPetula) July 27, 2020
Just watched ’Anthony’ on BBC.
Such an emotional, moving and thought provoking watch. Written wonderfully with just incredible acting. Such a sad truth on what Anthony could have achieved in life. Thank you #bbc #anthony #AnthonyWalker #RIP #BLM— 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 (@Harriet_amy_d) July 27, 2020
#Anthony was gut-wrenching and devastating. Such a powerful telling of the life that Anthony Walker should have lived. I’m in bits. Please watch on @BBCiPlayer if you missed it, this is exactly why we must keep fighting for a world where this cannot happen.
— Vick Hope (@VickNHope) July 27, 2020
Anthony is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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