Holy Cross is a fictional drama set within real events. It tells the story of two fictional families caught up in the headline events of 2001 on the Ardoyne Road in Belfast where a dispute arose concerning the rights of schoolgirls from the Catholic Ardoyne area of north Belfast to walk a few hundred yards through the predominantly Protestant area of Glenbryn to the Holy Cross primary school.

BBC Northern Ireland head of drama, Robert Cooper said, “This was an important story that attracted world attention. Many of the problems and issues facing these communities reflect issues facing the wider community in Northern Ireland. This story is about fear, identity, community, territory, trust and enmity in a polarised society where politics and community relations have failed. Holy Cross sees the dispute through the eyes of two fictional families and provides an insight into the actions and emotions of those involved on both sides – an insight which goes beyond the blunt images of hatred and anger shown in the news reports of the time.”

Some of Northern Ireland’s strongest acting talent - Zara Turner, Bronagh Gallagher, Patrick O’Kane and Colum Convey - star in an emotionally-gripping film which explores the dispute from both sides. The drama follows the build-up over the summer as tensions rose between the two communities, before exploding into the ugly confrontation that shocked the world.

Controller of Drama Commissioning, Jane Tranter said, “Holy Cross is part of a growing slate of original, ambitious dramas for BBC One that works alongside our new and established popular dramas. Holy Cross attempts to go behind the anger and the headlines to discover why the people involved in this particular dispute felt they had to see it through no matter what the consequences. With dramas such as The Lost Prince, Out of Control and the forthcoming In Denial of Murder, we aim to offer audiences an opportunity to see new perspectives on historic, social and personal situations that are relevant to the way we live now.”

Holy Cross is produced by Jonathan Curling (Grafters, Amongst Women) and Robert Cooper, directed by Mark Brozel (Rap at the Door, Mange Tout) and written by the Northern Irish newcomer Terry Cafolla. The executive producers are Robert Cooper for BBC Northern Ireland and Mary Callery for RTE. It is a BBC Northern Ireland production in association with RTE.

Find out more about dealing with sectarianism in Northern Ireland with the Eyewitness website