When harassed single Mum, Sally Wilson, is called to the office of a swish city lawyer she never expects a “life or death” proposition.
The envelope she’s given by solicitor Taylor contains a CD which, when played, reveals she’s been bequeathed £5 million! But in order to qualify for this amazing transfer of funds, Sally must first “kill a man who deserves to die.”
Totally astonished and morally confused by this grisly proposition, ordinary Mum Sally confides in her ex-copper boyfriend Mark, who now works as a security guard.
It’s unthinkable for Sally to take another person’s life, as a former A and E nurse, whose 15 year old daughter Amanda is stricken with a brain tumour. And with each day, Amanda’s condition appears to be worsening. Mark kindly takes on the role of Amanda’s father figure, Sally’s confidante and shoulder to cry on. She’s at her wits end as to how to help her daughter and knows a life saving operation in America would be the answer. However, she and Mark are normal working class people who don’t have pots of money at their disposal. Understandably, she begins to question why the mysterious benefactor has singled her out and proposed she commit murder!
Sally is tormented by the decision she has to make. If she kills a man who deserves to die her much-loved daughter will live…What choice does she have? What price a life? Could she commit the most heinous crime and kill someone? No matter how evil or perverted they may be? Needing answers, Sally seeks out the man she’s supposed to kill, and not surprisingly life takes on an unexpected twist.
Armed with information about the identity of her supposed victim, Sally risks her own life and that of Mark’s, and attempts to track her mystery benefactor to discover the truth. Has something in her past triggered this tainted proposition? Does Sally know the man behind the voice on the CD? Will she uncover his identity before it’s too late? Consequently, Sally’s on the helter skelter ride of her life and must apply the brakes before its too late…
Helter Skelter is a two x 60 minute thriller written by Chris Lang (Torn) and produced and executive produced by Jeremy Gwilt (Torn, The Little House) for TXTV.
Shooting begins from early October based at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
Commissioned by ITV’s Director of Drama Commissioning Laura Mackie and Controller of Drama Commissioning, Sally Haynes, Helter Skelter will be directed by Jim O'Hanlon (Emma, Mutual Friends, House of Saddam).
Commenting today, TXTV’s Jeremy Gwilt said: “Sally is an ordinary woman in an extraordinary situation. She’s repulsed by the thought of killing another human being, but she’s tempted by the prospect of somehow saving her daughter’s life.”
Added Laura Mackie: “Chris Lang’s scripts are a real rollercoaster ride of emotion. Will Sally pull the trigger and, in her eyes, save her daughter’s life? It’s the 5 million pound question. Helter Skelter is a gripping thriller that will be a great addition to our drama slate for 2011”
