Viewers have said the cast and crew of Little Boy Blue did murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones’s family proud, as the harrowing TV dramatisation came to an end.
The ITV programme told the story of the 11-year-old, who was gunned down by 16-year-old Sean Mercer on his way home from football practice in Croxteth, Liverpool, in 2007.
As the last instalment of the four-part series aired on Monday night, viewers went online to say how much the “thought-provoking” programme had moved them.
Absolutely heartbreaking to watch but the Actors and Actresses have done the Jones Family proud. A truly amazing programme X#littleboyblue
— Natalie Costin (@natcostin1) May 15, 2017
The cast and writers of #littleboyblue have done that little lads family proud.
— stephen lynn (@Stevesafc31) May 15, 2017
Fans predicted that Taboo actor Stephen Graham would be collecting accolades for his performance as Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly.
@StephenGraham73 What a performance you've put in on this powerful show mate, awards will follow, brilliant,RIP little fella #littleboyblue
— Alec Gray (@thadious72) May 15, 2017
If @StephenGraham73 doesn't win some best actor awards for this…#LittleBoyBlue
— JP (@jrp1970) May 15, 2017
The entire series was a tough watch, said viewers, with scenes like the one where Rhys is shot leaving them “heartbroken”.Many agreed that the dramatisation, which explored the impact of the crime amid a wave of gang violence, was an “important” piece of television that should be shown to young people as a warning.
every teenage lad out there who thinks it's big and clever to be a part of gang needs to be shown this true drama #LittleBoyBlue ????
— .misskayleighfox! (@KayleighFox1) May 15, 2017
If you think being in a gang is cool then I suggest you watch #LittleBoyBlue
They're not real friends, they'll get you into serious trouble— Jodi (@Jodi_Rushworth) May 15, 2017
The drama was written by Jeff Pope, executive producer of The Moorside, about the faked kidnapping of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.
