ROBSON GREEN'S TV production company, Coastal Productions, is to screen its first BBC commission -a harrowing one-off drama dealing with domestic abuse.

The drama begins at what the actor calls the point of no return.

He said: "You see my character, Michael, launching his fist into his wife Stephanie's face. You think you see that; I would underline 'think'.

"Their son witnesses this act, so thinks his father has been battering his mother. We then start telling the reason for that particular moment.

"You will side with the woman, then, suddenly, I hope your allegiances change. Then, at the end, you do not side with anybody, but empathise with the boy, who is actually on the receiving end of this mental misunderstanding."

The drama was filmed in and around Newcastle and will be screened on March 14.

* The 1960s-built terraced house where Green grew up is to be torn down. The council house in Blyth Close, Dudley, North Tyneside, will be bulldozed to make way for a £4m estate of affordable housing.

An early example of the actor's creative talents -his initials carved into the white paint of a garage door - will be demolished as well.

Published: 05/03/2005