Julie Walters (Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story; Mamma Mia!) stars in A Short Stay In Switzerland for BBC One, a one-off drama inspired by the true story of Dr Anne Turner by award-winning writer Frank McGuinness. Having just witnessed the death of her husband Jack from an incurable neurological disease, Anne Turner (Julie Walters) is diagnosed with a near-identical illness. With determined rationality, Anne's answer is that once her illness has reached a critical point, she will take her own life. And she needs her children's support.

But the more her son and two daughters struggle to gain consensus over their mother's desire to die, as they struggle to find another way through, the further they pull apart. From Jessica's silent recriminations to Sophie's stubborn practicality, the magnitude of the situation threatens to tear the family to pieces. Anne must also face the fury of her best friend Claire whose opposing views bring them into direct and vocal conflict. Kate Harwood, Controller, Series and Serials, BBC Drama Production, says: "One of Ireland's foremost dramatists, Frank brings a lightness of touch, dark wit and a heart-wrenching humanity to this piece inspired by Anne Turner's story about life and death, love and family." A Short Stay In Switzerland was broadcast to critical acclaim BBC1 on Sunday January 25th 2009 at 9pm.