Laurence Fox (Lewis, Wired, Elizabeth: The Golden Age) leads the cast as Jonathan Donald, a wealthy but narrow-minded luxury car dealer whose attitude is challenged when he receives a community service order at a support organisation called The Moonbeam club.

There he meets recently widowed Laura Cooper, played by Sarah Smart (Doctor Who, Wallander, Five Days), who runs the club, and ‘Fast’ Freddie Copeland, played by Jack McMullen (Waterloo Road, Moving On), a member who is terminally ill and will be lucky to see in the New Year.

Joining them in the cast is, Tamzin Outhwaite (Paradox, The Fixer), David Westhead (The Runaway, The Silence), Bill Paterson (Law & Order:UK, Doctor Who) Marian McLoughlin (Home Time, Lewis), Davood Ghadami (Taggart, Criminal Justice) and Judy Flynn (Mysterious Creatures, No Angels).

Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me is a 90 minute drama directed by David Richards (The Runaway, Albert’s Memorial). The producer is Madonna Baptiste (Long Walk to Finchley, Mrs Mandela) and the executive producer for STV is Margaret Enefer (Taggart, Death in Holy Orders).

Jonathan Donald (Fox), early 30s, is a wealthy, brash, over-confident luxury car dealer who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. After being found guilty of a drink driving charge, Jonathan expects to get off lightly but instead receives a community service order in the run up to Christmas, 60 hours with The Moonbeam Club, a support organisation for young adults with social and behavioural difficulties run by recently widowed, Laura Cooper (Smart).

After a disastrous first day, Jonathan is sent packing by Laura, she and the group have no use for him and his prejudice. But Jonathan is forced to return by an even less impressed Judge, who serves him a longer order.

Jonathan’s attitude and commitment begins to change as he gets to know one of the club’s member’s – eighteen year old Freddie Copeland (McMullen). Feisty, an expert with gadgets and a demon on the PlayStation, Jonathan is shocked to learn Freddie suffers from kidney disease and genetic heart condition which means he’ll be lucky to survive the next couple of months.

One of Freddie’s dreams is to have his own idea of a perfect Christmas. But having grown up in various care homes Freddie knows his dream is unlikely to come true, especially since he’s never had the courage to make contact with his real mother.

Against Laura’s careful advice, Jonathan decides to take it upon himself to give Freddie the Christmas he’s always dreamed of. But can he make the impossible possible and make his final Christmas the best Freddie has ever had?

Set back after meeting Freddie's real mother, Jonathan begins his quest to formulate Freddie's last wish with the help of Laura's mother Julia (McLoughlin), his best friend and lawyer Charlie (Westhead) and a rag tag bunch of criminals lead by one of Charlie's clients, debonair fraudster Patsy Morgan (Outhwaite).

STV Production

Fast Freddie the Widow and Me has been commissioned by the Director of Drama Commissioning, Laura Mackie, and the Controller of Drama Commissioning, Sally Haynes.

"I'm delighted that we are working with STV on Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me. Christopher Dunlop has written a funny, heart-warming and evocative story that will be a real treat for the festive season” said Sally.

Writer Christopher Dunlop said: "I've always wanted to write about the magic of Christmas colliding with the way we torment ourselves trying to make that one day perfect. Fast Freddie, the Widow and Me creates an idyllic family Christmas from the most unlikely collection of characters who in the process, rediscover faith in life, love and hope for the future."

Fast Freddie the Widow and Me is an STV production for ITV1 and will be filmed on location in London.

Fast Freddie, The Widow and Me starring Laurence Fox

Drama about a wealthy car dealer who is forced to work with young adults with social and behavioural difficulties

Starring Laurence Fox, Sarah Smart, Jack McMullen, Tamzin Outhwaite, David Westhead and Bill Paterson

Publicity photograph of Laurence Fox from ITV series Lewis

The DVD for this show will be released after it has aired

Publicity photograph of Laurence Fox taken from ITV series Lewis