Family at war?

On location in Stockport, star Lee Ingleby chats to TV Times about the new challenges facing the divided Hughes clan

- Caren Clark

Paul Hughes

LEE INGLEBY

Joe’s doting dad is struggling to cope after his marital split. ‘Paul hasn’t taken the divorce well,’ says Lee. ‘He doesn’t know how to deal with his emotions.’

Rebecca Hughes

MOLLY WRIGHT

Alison’s daughter shocks the family by falling pregnant. ‘Rebecca doesn’t want Joe to feel left out,’ explains Molly. ‘She presents the pregnancy in a way he can understand.

Joe Hughes

MAX VENTO

Joe finds it hard to deal with his parents’ separation. ‘He doesn’t get why they got divorced and doesn’t feel like he sees either of them as much,’ reveals 10-year-old Max.

Alison Hughes

MORVEN CHRISTIE

Joe’s fiery mum cares for him in Manchester during the week but is at a crossroads. ‘She realises there are ways she could be serving the world better,’ explains Morven.

THE A WORD

NEW TUESDAY / BBC1 / 9PM / EP 1 of 6 / DRAMA

At a church hall in Stockport, the cast of The A Word are gathered in their finery preparing to film the first dance at a family wedding reception.

It’s August 2019 and TV Timesmis on set for the third series of the popular BBC1 drama, which follows the troubled but tight-knit Hughes clan as they deal with the highs and lows of raising autistic son Joe (played by Max Vento).