My Name is Leon

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

what a perfect viewing that was - heartfelt.
also starring Malachi Kirby

We really enjoyed it also. I really wanted a scene or two as Leon as an late teen/ young adult having a meet with his brother.

I loved it and what wonderful acting. I feared a traumatic ending but but it was as good as it realistically could be.

It was lovely and heartbreaking at the same time

I'm just watching it-did it explain why Jake was given up for adoption?

jake was easier to place being so young

And being white

Yes I realise that he would be easy to have adopted, I just wondered if it was explained why she decided not to keep him.

Also Leon being left with Maureen's sister??

I don't think they could place Leon anywhere else because of his heritage and age.

I don't think she had the choice regarding the boys I think they were taken off her

Loved it!

So many nuances to it.

Would love for there to be a follow-up.

it was from a novel, the author grew up with her mother being a foster carer

I don't think she had the choice regarding the boys I think they were taken off her

Yes, that would make sense, thank you!

Also it was from Leon's pov wasn't it so maybe he wouldn't know?

I'm so glad there's a thread about this programme. It was very sad, but I loved it. I thought it was either a two-parter at least though, as it was so open ended!

There was a scene where Jake's Dad refused to pay or have anything to do with him, because he has a(nother) family to support. Leon & Jake's Mother was clearly not coping. I was wondering if she had post-natal depression as that wasn't understood in the 80s. In fact mental ill health in general wasn't.

It does seem like the mum could have had some kind of mental health difficulties and was self-medicating with whatever those pills were. As pp said, the story is told from Leon's point of view so didn't really go into the mum's frame of mind.

The boy who plays Leon is an amazing actor

www.kingston.ac.uk/news/article/1978/31-oct-2017-kingston-university-big-read-author-kit-de-waal-talks-to-fans-about-difficult-choices-affecting This says that Kit de Waal has already written a sequel and it will feature Leon at the age of 44. Something to look forward to.

so lenny henry wanted to play the part of tufty but didnt

but luckily for us we had the lovely Malachi Kirby

I thought that this was perfect viewing. All the real, flawed characters, the acting and the true to life ending. It was great.

Would this suit mature children aged 10 and 12?