From Downton's Abbey to Jersey's Library

Monday 17 November 2014

One of the stars of Downton Abbey has brought to life the story of a Jersey boy and his family living through the Occupation.

Actress Cathy Sara who played Mrs Drake in the award-winning period drama is the voice behind the audio version of The King Behind The Picture, and will be coming to Jersey for its launch next weekend.

The book is written by local author Marianne Le Boutillier who trained as a teacher but now combines her love of local history with writing for children. She regularly visits school to give children an insight into life during the Occupation.

Her novel spans five years starting with the unsettling arrival of the Germans and ending with the Island’s liberation. Respected Occupation historian Michael Ginns MBE says it’s a good account of what it was like growing up back then.

He said: “This narrative illustrates perfectly the vast difference between town dweller and country dwellers. The entire five years of the Occupation was a hard grind for everyone, not least mothers, who would sacrifice their own food for the benefit of their children and go hungry themselves. The story is a good, accurate snapshot of the life of children during that time.”

Both Marianne and Cathy will be at the book’s launch at Jersey Library next Saturday at 2.30 pm.

Cathy Sara is the winner of the BBC Carleton Hobbs Radio Drama Award and her radio roles include Lucy Honeychurch in Room with a Viedw, Lauren Walsh in the Archers and Phillida Trant in Rumpole of The Bailey.

As well as her role as Mrs Drake in Downton Abbey, she has had TV roles playing Mrs Mulligan in Breathless and Mrs Jerome in the film The Woman in Black.