Anthony Boyle and Toby Jones lead cast of new BBC Two drama Danny Boy (w/t)

Filming has begun on BBC Two’s Danny Boy (working title), a compelling new drama produced by Expectation about a young man’s journey from medal-winning war hero to alleged murderer, and his search for truth in the fog of war.

Anthony Boyle (Ordeal By Innocence, The Plot Against America) plays real-life soldier Brian Wood, accused of war crimes in Iraq by the human rights lawyer Phil Shiner, played by Toby Jones (Marvellous, Detectorists).

The two men go head to head in a legal and moral conflict that takes us from the battlefield - at so-called Checkpoint Danny Boy - to the courtroom, and one of Britain’s biggest ever public inquiries, the Al-Sweady Inquiry.

Produced by Expectation for BBC Two, the feature-length single is written by Bafta-winner Robert Jones (Murder, Party Animals).

The drama richly explores the effect Brian’s experience has not just on him, but also on his family. This includes his father and ex-soldier, Gavin, played by Alex Ferns (Chernobyl, The Batman), and his wife Lucy, played by Leah McNamara (Normal People, Vikings).

Memory, evidence and trauma collide, as Brian finds himself caught on the fine line between war and unlawful killing. After his service in Iraq and years of legal investigation, will he ever be able to look his family in the eye again and be the husband, father, and son, they need him to be?

Danny Boy (w/t) is an urgent and thought-provoking drama that questions what we ask of those who fight - and kill - for their country.

Anthony Boyle says: “I’m thrilled to be working with Sam Miller on Robert Jones’ phenomenal script, and telling Brian’s extraordinary story. We get to explore not just the realities of war, but how they can come back to haunt you.”

Toby Jones says: “Robert has written an extraordinarily compelling, intelligent and nuanced script, and it’s a real honour to be working with Danny Boy’s exceptional cast and creative team to bring it to the screen.”

Writer Robert Jones says: “Here’s a man who won a medal for valour, but whose toughest test was the scrutiny that followed. External scrutiny, and soul searching too - Brian Wood’s story is a fascinating one for a writer to explore. It’s been a great privilege to work with producers of such distinction and I’m really delighted we’re going into production with Sam Miller at the helm and a terrific cast and crew.”

Director Sam Miller adds: “I’m very excited to be telling this story featuring the Battle of Danny Boy and the subsequent fallout, both personally and politically, for Brian and others.