RIVER CITY: MONDAY 24 MAY 2021

River City
Monday 24 May 2021
BBC Scotland
22:00

Devised by Stephen Greenhorn
Writer: Anita Vettesse
Director: Ryan Graham
Series Producer: Kevin McComiskie
Executive Producer: Martin McCardie
Executive Producer: Gavin Smith
Senior Executive Producer: Kate Oates

This week in Shieldinch...

As Stevie's life hangs in the balance, an unlikely ally attempts to save him.

A devastated Scarlett is stunned by Sonny's honesty.

Angus supports best friend Bob - in this special episode highlighting mental health awareness.

Stevie is rushed to hospital following his overdose and is fighting for his life.  Confused and in pain, Stevie wakes up in an eerie and deserted Montego Street - but it’s all is not as it seems in Shieldinch.

As a shadowy figure catches Stevie's eye, he hears the soft beep of a life support machine.  Passing his mother's shop, Stevie is horrified to see messages of condolence... about him.  Suddenly, he comes face-to-face with his mysterious onlooker - Gabriel Brodie - back from the dead, Gabriel tells a stunned Stevie he is his guardian angel, sent by Molly to save her grandson.

Freaked out, Stevie struggles to accept he is in limbo.  Gabriel bluntly challenges Stevie’s attempt to end his life and he slowly begins to open up.  Realising the dark hole Stevie has found himself in, Gabriel shows him all the positives in his life, urging him to survive.

At the local medical facility, a frantic Scarlett turns to Sonny, who tries to keep her calm, optimistic her son will be saved.  Assuming Tyler pushed Stevie too far, Scarlett's emotions quickly flip from anger to guilt, convinced she missed the signs and should have done more.

Angus offers much-needed support to Bob, who is devastated that his brother took rather drastic measures.  Bernie is also guilt-ridden, fearing she's been too hard on her nephew lately.  However, Angus admits he knows all too well how difficult men find it to talk about their emotions.

In this unique episode, River City shines a light on mental health awareness and male suicide prevention.  This storyline is part of the BBC's Headroom campaign on TV, Radio and Online which recognises the impact the ongoing CoronaVirus Pandemic is having on everyone's mental health.

Headroom offers an online toolkit for the mind to help people look after themselves, with practical everyday tips, inspiring personal stories, activities and music mixes to boost your mood, escape and relax.

CAST

Sally Howitt as Scarlett O'Hara
Iain Robertson as Stevie O'Hara
Una McLean as Molly O'Hara
Jimmy Chisholm as Sonny Caplan
Stephen Purdon as Bob O'Hara
Ty McPhee as Callum Adams
Maureen Carr as Theresa O'Hara
Barbara Rafferty as Bernie O'Hara
Lindsey Campbell as Poppy Patterson
Scott Fletcher as Angus Lindsay
Frances Thorburn as Kim O'Hara
Garry Sweeney as Gabriel Brodie
Sienna Glackin as Madonna Mullen