Tuesday, 11th May 2021 at 3:33 pm BBC Two drama Danny Boy is based on the real-life events that led up to the Al-Sweady Inquiry, during which British troops were accused of mistreating Iraqi detainees. Advertisement Anthony Boyle plays Colour Sergeant Brian Wood, a real life former soldier whose experiences both during and after his service in Iraq are explored on-screen. The Danny Boy cast also includes Toby Jones, who plays the now-disgraced human rights solicitor Phil Shiner. Read on for the true stories and real-life history behind Danny Boy. Is Danny Boy a true story? Based on a true story, Danny Boy depicts the events surrounding the Al-Sweady Inquiry that took place from 2009 to 2014 and investigated accusations of prisoner mistreatment by British troops in Iraq.