1 Two best mates. Sky Atlantic smash Britannia) and created by Clarke, Walters and Nick Two very different pasts. Love (The Football Factory), the show One rollercoaster mission. unites big, emotional stories with blood- pumping stunt sequences as it follows Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters star as Bishop and Pike, two cops who are a dynamic cop duo in Sky One’s new best friends and bonded by the same blockbuster drama. moral code, despite their very different Made by (the brains backgrounds. behind films such as Bronson and Set in , it’s a fun, authentic, Monsters, and TV series including action-packed ride around the city as Bishop and Pike tackle the bad guys in their own uncompromising style, all SERIES while maintaining their friendship, their relationships and taking on ghosts from the past. Blood makes you related. Loyalty makes you family. These two have got each other’s backs, no matter what.

Bulletproof comes to Sky One and NOW TV on Tuesday 15 May at 21.00.

OVERVIEW 2 Since the autumn, we’ve been busy some of the funniest people in making a few changes to Sky One. the UK, including Karl Pilkington, It’s growing up a bit, with a new, bolder Romesh Ranganathan and Julia Davis. line-up of comedy, entertainment and There are explosive entertainment drama. And with two fantastic leads, events such as Revolution and Carnage. pulse-racing action and bags of heart, The spellbindingly brilliant A Discovery Bulletproof really fits the bill – it’s of Witches brings Deborah Harkness’s exactly the kind of ambitious, striking, hugely popular All Souls Trilogy of distinctive series that our viewers love. books to screen for the first time. Bulletproof joins a slate of exceptional And alongside all this we are bringing new comedy, entertainment and drama back Sky One favourites like Stan Lee’s series on Sky One. We are showcasing Lucky Man, Delicious and A League of new spiky authored comedy from Their Own. And right now, we have the fantastic INTRO Bulletproof. Written and directed with customary wit, vision and flair by Nick Love, it stars the couldn’t-be-more- perfect pairing of Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters as top cops Bishop and Pike. It’s a story that will have you on the edge of your seat as you laugh, cry and cheer along on an action-packed blast around London with two new television heroes in the driving seat. So sit back, strap in and enjoy the ride. Adam MacDonald, director, Sky One DUCTION 3 CHARACTERThere’s one thing above all else at the heart of Bulletproof. It’s not the car chases, shoot-outs, stake-outs or heists. It’s not the gun-running, dodgy cops or corruption. And it’s not the final showdown between good and evil. It’s Bishop and Pike, and their unswerving love for and loyalty to each other. Sure, they fall out, fight, even attempt to go their separate ways. But their bond is too strong for them to be apart for long. They’re two sides of the same coin. GUIDE 4 SENIOR OFFICER RONNIE PIKE Ashley Walters

Pike is the stable half of the duo. He’s a family man from a good background and, charming and widely admired, he’s set to follow in the footsteps of his successful father and climb the ranks of the police. But he is torn between his love for his wife and daughters and his addiction to his job, and the high-speed chases, undercover work and gun battles that come with it. And Bishop, who’s an inextricable part of that. Family aside, it’s what he loves the most. But he’s worried it’s going to kill him.

5 SENIOR OFFICER AARON BISHOP Noel Clarke

Bishop is a bit of a drifter. Abandoned as a child and brought up by mild- mannered foster parents, he is unpredictable, full of fire and, without a rudder to direct him, a walking timebomb. The one person he has faith in – the only one that has never let him down – is Pike. That is until the pair are tested to the max by their desire for security, by life-and-death situations and the true horror of the criminal world. In the course of series one, the very fabric that binds Bishop and Pike is torn apart.

6 DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NCA, RONALD PIKE SNR Clarke Peters

A decorated and accomplished officer, Pike Snr is as comfortable running a major police operation as he is at the head of the dinner table surrounded by family and friends. He spends a lot of time with his son Pike and his family, and is close to the deputy mayor, Charlotte Carmel. He is looked up to and admired by Pike, but he wishes his son would show more ambition and leave his current job – and, crucially, Bishop – behind to climb the ladder. As the series unfolds and past secrets come to light, cracks begin to show in the relationship between Pike Snr and his son.

7 LEAD OFFICER SARAH TANNER Lindsey Coulson

Tanner has hand selected the bright young things in her unit and she’s a mentor as well as a leader to them. If any of them are hurt on the job, she takes it personally. She has to balance the top brass and red tape with letting her guys get on with policing the streets their way – especially Bishop and Pike, who often take their own path to getting the job done.

8 OFFICER NELL MCBRIDE OFFICER TIM Christina Chong ‘JONESY’ JONES Nell works at the NCA. She holds her David Elliot own in the team but she’s no ladette – she’s feminine, strong and effortlessly Affable and gentle, Jonesy lacks beautiful. Yet to find a man that can the front and aggression of some of keep up with her, there’s a real spark the other members of the team but between her and Bishop but she still plays a key part in the success respects their friendship and the of their missions. Inexperienced in fact he’s in a relationship. So when love, he finds ‘the one’ in the most the spark between them seems like it unexpected of places, but it’s a could ignite into something more, she romance that's likely to cause friction realises she has to tread carefully to with his colleagues. avoid losing him altogether.

OFFICER KAMALI KHAN OFFICER CHRIS MUNROE Mandeep Dhillon Jason Maza Brought up in Whitechapel by her Munroe works at the unit with father, who ran an electrical store, Bishop and Pike, and he idolises them. Kamali has a love of all things technical When Bishop and Pike are separated, and knows the East End like the back Bishop seeks a new partner in Munroe. of her hand. She’s the baby of the But it doesn’t quite work out. team, but underestimate her at your peril.

9 CHARLOTTE CARMEL DR SOPHIE LATIMER Caroline Goodall Emma Rigby With no real family of her own, the Sophie is Bishop’s girlfriend. Pikes are Charlotte’s loved ones. Bishop might think he’s the model She is godmother to Pike, and she boyfriend, but that’s not how Sophie and Pike Snr go way back. Formerly sees it. He’s tied to his job and a senior police officer, she’s now always with Pike – there are three in the deputy mayor of London. She’s their relationship. business-minded and professional, and no problem is insurmountable for her. When Pike’s wife Arjana needs help with her career, she takes her under her wing, bringing her into the world of City Hall and all that comes with it.

ARJANA PIKE Lashana Lynch Arjana is Ronnie Pike’s wife, and the chemistry between the two of them is still as strong as the day they got together. She’s raised two children, supported her husband, managed their home and qualified as a lawyer, and she’s done it all by being brilliant and defiant. Arjana had put her ambitions on hold while her children were young, but now she has the chance to achieve the career success she craves. But it could come at a price.

10 EPISODE

GUIDE 11 EPISODE 1 Pike attends an award ceremony for his police chief father Ronald Pike Snr alongside his godmother Charlotte Carmel, the deputy mayor of London. Bishop, meanwhile, is buying the food for a family lunch. But their plans are interrupted when an informant is killed and they uncover a crime ring stealing luxury cars. While staking out a warehouse, two of the team are kidnapped, and after a car chase towards the docks a shoot-out leaves one of them being rushed to A&E. Bishop and Pike take down the gang but it’s a hollow success, and as Pike goes home to his family, Bishop heads to the hospital. But his world’s about to be blown apart.

12 EPISODE 2 EPISODE 4 Bishop’s holding it together on the job, Arjana has a surprising meeting. but Pike senses something is wrong. Meanwhile, Pike assures Pike Snr the Still, the boys head to work when boys are no longer investigating the notorious criminal Michael Sharp, Sharp case, before he and Bishop who’s been in Spain for decades, head out to visit a gun supplier they turns up in London. They tail him to a believe may be connected to it. It heist at a safety deposit box facility seems to be a dead end, but as they and after a gun battle on the streets are leaving they make a gruesome catch one of the robbers, Barton. discovery. The situation gets even But Sharp – along with dozens of more grave as they take a man to the deposit boxes – is gone. Further station for questioning and there’s a investigations lead the pair to more disturbing revelation. And then, after surprises, and just when they think a devastating turn of events, things they’re making progress, they’re forced become very personal for Pike. to flee a hail of bullets in a nerve- shredding chase through the forest. EPISODE 5 Pike’s wife and kids are in danger, EPISODE 3 he and Bishop are at odds and the The boys are outraged when the case is taking its toll – so much so Sharp case is moved to another unit. that, as his family are moved into a Sent to follow a drug gang instead, safe house, he finally gives in to his a stake-out descends into a zombie dad and accepts a desk job away knife being pulled and Bishop and Pike from the unit. Bishop, left to find chasing down a 14-year-old dealer the truth about the Sharp case on called Ryan. And it’s not long before his own, scours old case files and the case leads the team into another uncovers a name connecting Sharp’s life-and-death operation: a huge previous arrests: Graham Borlock. raid on a cannabis farm. Meanwhile, He chases the lead but hits a brick Arjana needs money to fund a big wall – until he receives a package opportunity at work, meaning Pike that contains something that rocks must swallow his pride and ask his dad him to his core. Meanwhile, Arjana for help. And there’s a shock in store continues to push through Charlotte’s as Pike and Bishop ignore orders and development deal, but finds head to the prison to talk to Barton. something she doesn’t like. 13 EPISODE 6 The contents of the package have changed everything, and Bishop and Pike are more determined than ever to find answers. They pay a visit to the heavily fortified house of a scared Borlock, and promise to protect him if he tells them everything he knows about Sharp. Borlock opens up and the secrets that he spills – as well as a prison break, a car chase involving an ambulance and a tense hostage situation – put Bishop and Pike in a race against time to get to the culprits. The case doesn’t end without heartache and changes things forever. But it’s also reminded both Bishop and Pike of what they do best. And that – together – they are the best.

14 INTERVIEWS 15 “IT’S GOT A BIT OF SWAGGER AND A GLINT IN ITS EYE”

Bulletproof’s writer, How would you describe the show? It’s an action-driven cop drama, co-creator and director and it’s a buddy show, with Noel talks about the friendship and Ashley at its heart.

between Bishop and Pike, Is the friendship between Noel and packing the show with Ashley’s characters the main thing action, and how for him you wanted to come through? TV is the new film The friendship and the action were the two things I was really keen on How did Bulletproof come about? driving through. Action is the one I’d had conversations with Sky thing I feel like I’ve never really seen about making an action-based on TV in England. The police dramas police show. They were fans of my are very much about procedure and movie The Sweeney so we talked investigation and we wanted to make about writing a new show. And I’d ours about action. known Noel for quite a while and we’d talked about doing something We’re used to seeing buddy cop together for a long time. So then it partnerships from the US but this was basically about coming up with feels like one of the UK’s first real some material that didn’t feel like police ‘bromances’… NICK LOVE normal British cop shows. Well bromances we’ve seen before, 16 although this is more of a heightened, it just worked out the way it did. Bishop and Pike are a formidable scenes, with experiences that people overt bromance. But we don’t have a The characters have shades of team, but the female characters are can relate to? real history in this country of doing difference but they’re not wildly pretty strong, too, aren’t they? Yeah. One of the things we wanted that alongside action – there are very different: their DNA is that they’re Again, it’s about trying to show to be really clear about was that few series I can remember with big both cool, tough cops. the world we live in now. I think it’s there’s a net effect to people’s set-pieces in them. important that’s represented on actions, so if someone is shot there’s And how did Clarke Peters, who plays television. It’s been a long time a proper reaction to that, rather Did you take any inspiration from Pike’s dad, come on board? coming really. than in some films where they just buddy cop classics such as Bad Boys He just came to an audition! Obviously seem to shoot people and laugh and Lethal Weapon? everyone knows him from Another theme that comes through about it. You shoot someone, it plays To be honest, I’ve never seen Bad and he’s a great actor, but he just is around relationships between on your mind. If someone you know Boys. I’ve seen Lethal Weapon a lot walked in. He had such a likeability and fathers and sons… is hurt, it really affects you. We aren’t though and the tone of that film he’s such a cool guy, and Noel and Ash Yeah that’s one of the differences trying to make social realism, we want was something I always used as a and I, we were all so excited about the between Bishop and Pike. One of them to make something with a bit of spirit touchpoint for Bulletproof whenever idea of him being in the show. is a fatherless son and the other has and a bit of fun, but we’re also trying I was speaking to people about it. a father who won’t let go and is still to make it feel vaguely realistic. Lethal Weapon’s a tough crime The family scenes feel very real. fathering him too much. We never find We’re trying to get a sweet spot in thriller with humorous moments Were those relationships something out about Bishop’s parents, just that the middle. and that’s what we’ve gone for with you felt were especially important to he was fostered as a kid, while Pike’s Bulletproof – it’s not a comedy, but include when writing the show? dad is very much a dominant character Are there any stunts or big set- it has funny moments and ironic Yeah, but what was more important in the show. pieces that particularly stand moments and pissy moments to me – and I always said this to Noel out from your experience alongside the action. and Ashley – was to subvert the There’s a touching subplot in which filming them? stereotypes of youngish black men. Bishop takes a young dealer under The big car chase at the beginning Can you tell us a bit about writing the Generally speaking, on TV black guys, his wing… is good – pretty great, actually. characters of Bishop and Pike? with the exception of, maybe, Luther, That’s because he wants to be a The first two episodes are quite Well, Noel, Ashley and I came up with are on the wrong side of the law father, and he’s subconsciously heavy with action, and then in the the idea together and so I wrote those with scenes that are very urban and fathering him. The thing is, these third things get more soulful, although roles for them. The starting point for glamorise certain things. Whereas in things are very subtle in the show. there’s a huge drugs bust at the end me was deciding which character to Bulletproof, Pike, for example, lives in Ultimately it’s about action and plot of that episode. It’s about getting write for Noel and which to write for a really nice house, his wife’s a lawyer, and narrative. a balance of action, character and Ashley – does Noel play the family his two daughters go to private drama. You want some humour in guy or does he play the lone wolf? school. It’s just about giving the Do you think it’s important to ground there, you want some pathos in there, It could have gone either way and audience something fresh. the big set-pieces with those kinds of you want it to feel tough but not so

17 violent it’s alienating. The shows that What sets Bulletproof apart from get it right are the ones that perfect other UK dramas? that balance. Action. I tell you what, action and humour. And actually, action, humour Do you think the TV format helps and unashamed sentimentality. with that? I’m quite a sentimental person and Definitely. This is my first TV show that comes through in my writing. and as I’ve discovered you can But action and humour are the main explore character much more, things. Because some of the stuff whereas generally a movie has to that I’ve been watching recently… it’s be one thing or the other – either just so earnest and takes things so character driven or action driven. seriously. Bulletproof’s got a bit of TV’s a really exciting format as swagger and a bit of a glint in its eye. there’s just more time for more revelations and to explore and Finally, can you sum up the show in develop characters. three words? F****** good fun! This year’s a big one for Sky original productions. How does it feel to be such an important part of that with Bulletproof? Ah, it’s brilliant! What’s amazing is that five years ago none of us really saw this big, big TV coming. Vertigo has been fortunate enough to get involved and up and running in TV and we’re lucky that Sky listens to our crazy pitches! I was a thoroughbred filmmaker and I’d never even thought about doing TV until a couple of years ago, but now most of what I’m involved with is TV. It’s just such an exciting landscape at the moment.

18 “THESE TWO ARE BROTHERS, THEY’RE LOYAL TO EACH OTHER. THEY’RE ON THE SAME LEVEL”

The co-creators and wanted to work together in some way and always wondered why we hadn’t. stars of the show talk I was a big fan of Bad Boys and buddy about their characters, cop movies and didn’t understand why Bishop and Pike, relaxing we didn’t have anything like that over here in the UK, so I suggested to Noel after a shoot, and how that with us being at the top of our they’re moving things on game at the time… from Inspector Morse NC: And still, by the way… AW: … that we create something Where did the idea for the show along those lines: a show about come from? brotherhood, with two black NOEL CLARKE: I’ll let Ashley start as leads being good role models for he actually came to me with it. once, because a lot of images and ASHLEY WALTERS: Did I? Nah, I’m characters at the time were portraying NOEL CLARKE & joking. Yeah, I can’t put a date on it but negative stereotypes. So yeah, we it was several years ago. sat down for a few hours one day and NC: Like eight years ago. thrashed out this idea. AW: Eight years ago. We’d just met at NC: Then I went away and did more the BAFTAs or something. on it and it went from a one-pager NC: BIFAs. to, like, a six-pager. And I would send ASHLEY WALTERS AW: BIFAs. Anyway. We’d always it to Ashley to check, he would give 19 me notes, and eventually we had our NC: You never really get that in cop do. His overriding loyalty and code of Organised Crime Command, or treatment, our basic: this is the story, shows over here, it’s always like your honour keep him on the right side of something like that. Or OCU, this is what we want to do. Inspector Morses where there’s a the law, but there are elements and Organised Crime Unit. It’s one of those superior and a subordinate and moments in the show where you think things, but… So it was really collaborative? they’re like, “I told you to bring the in another lifetime Bishop could be AW: Or OCA, Organised Crime… NC: Oh yeah, yeah. We’ve tried to do car round and get me a pack of so different. But he stays on the right NC: Association? It’s one of those. various things with it that haven’t 20 Bensons”. path, and a lot of that’s down to him AW: OCO! Organised Crime worked out in the past, tried to set having Pike looking out for him. Organisation! it up in different ways and different There’s definitely not much of that AW: Pike is the opposite. He starts NC: But essentially they fall under the guises, but we always came back to in this show… off like that anyway. He wants to do NCA, the National Crime Agency. our treatment. And eventually we met NC: No. “Get me a pack of 20 everything by the book, he’s a family with Vertigo and they loved it, Nick Bensons and a pint before we nick man, married, kids, home – he’s just Did you have to do much research? Love came on board and the three of this fella.” These two are brothers, a sensible kind of guy. He has a huge NC: We had to learn about all us turned it into what you see now. they’re loyal to each other and they’re passion for his job, and for Bishop. the different organisations the on the same level. It’s a friendship I’ve He takes care of Bishop and NCA houses, and we had police You mentioned Bad Boys, and we’re never seen in a cop show on British TV. essentially he’s there to stop him training for a couple of days, we had used to seeing buddy cop duos in And there definitely isn’t anything that dropping off the grid. firearms training and all of that sort movies and TV from the US. What would be considered a mainstream of malarkey. makes Bulletproof different? show with two black leads where the Did the two of them meet in AW: We sat down one day with a lady NC: Well the very fact that you never whole point is it doesn’t matter that the police? that we ended up finding out had see it here makes it original. I think we they’re black. NC: Yeah. I think they probably met been undercover for, like, 10 years. have a different sort of humour and way back, like training time, and have Some serious undercover s*** man. sensibility, and it’s still a rare thing for Can you tell us a bit more about your been friends since then. They’ve been Some of these people end up marrying the police to have guns over here, so characters and their friendship? through everything together: training, when they’re observing, having kids it’s unique in that way. NC: Bishop is a detective and a bit of uniform, all the way. And they’ve stuck and families. AW: And it’s UK through and through. a wildcard. He loves his job, and apart with each other. NC: That’s deep cover. It’s UK music, it’s UK slang. As much as from Pike that’s all he’s got. So he AW: That is some deep, deep cover. we started with the Bad Boys idea, puts everything into it – he’s almost And now they work at the NCA? I think what we took from that was obsessive when there’s a bad guy to AW: Yeah, and I think it’s cool the You’re both known for work the relationship between the two catch. That’s his sole purpose and he show delves into what the NCA are that covers some tough themes. leads, and that’s kind of the centre doesn’t really care about much more about because I don’t think a lot of Obviously Bishop and Pike are on of everything in the show: how these than that, apart from the fact that he people know. They are a mixture of all the right side of the law, but do two people love each other, how loyal loves Pike. If he didn’t have Pike and different types of police… you think there are any similarities they are to each other. Pike’s family, god knows what he could NC: Bishop and Pike are OCC… between them and characters like

20 Dushane from Top Boy or Sam from do without you”, and then Pike nods. You mentioned it’s important to NC: Oh great, he’s lovely, man, I love the ’Hood films? That’s what the show’s about, their ground the action to scenes people him to bits. We tried to make it as AW: I think that’s the whole point about brotherhood, and the action comes can relate to, and the relationship fresh as possible, so they’re not all life. There are similarities between from the fact they’ll do anything they between fathers and sons is a faces you see on TV a lot. We’ve cast criminals and the police, similarities can to look after each other and get theme throughout the series. Was it actors from Europe, for example – it between what you do and what I do. their man. important to you that was included just gives a different flavour and feel All that changes it is your focus and in the show? and I think that’s important. intention. As Noel said, things could It must be good fun filming the AW: I don’t think we sat down and tried have been different for Bishop. He’s action though? to make it a theme, but with us both What do you do to switch off when got a badge though. And there are NC: Yeah, yeah, it’s fun! being fathers it’s naturally something you get home after a shoot? times during Bulletproof where Bishop AW: It’s fun. It’s scary at times as that’s important to us. From the NC: We chill out. We’re in the same and Pike do bend the rules in order to well though. I wouldn’t want people to beginning this has been about block, so he goes to his apartment get their man. Does that make them think it’s 100% glamorous. You know, providing positive role models. I always and I go to mine. I’ll watch some TV right or wrong? I don’t know. I was thrown off the top of a forklift say my job is 80% inspiring other and he’ll watch some TV or do some NC: Sometimes if the bad guys are truck, he nearly lost his leg the people – 20% is the fun, the filming, music. Then I’ll go, “What you doing?” going to go that far, you have to go other day. the money and whatever else, but my And he’ll go, “Going gym”. And I’ll go, just as far to get them – that’s where NC: Yeah, we do our own stunts mostly. actual job is to represent to people “I’ll come the gym”, and we’ll go to the Bishop and Pike lie, I think. So there what they could be if they put their gym together. Occasionally we’ll go are definitely similarities with some Tell us about the leg! mind to it and work hard. So that was to dinner. So, yeah, we hang out, but of those characters. But I wouldn’t NC: We were doing a stunt fight, always going to come through in the other than that we just relax. say this is a ‘road’ show, it’s more that we’d rehearsed a few times, show because it’s what we are about. mainstream and broad. But they’re which called for my leg to be out That must help with your chemistry cool characters. sideways. The stuntman was It’s a great cast, isn’t it? What’s it on screen? supposed to go over the leg and get been like working with everyone? NC: Yeah, you know people say Do you have any favourite action thrown down, but instead of going NC: They’re all right. our chemistry is, I think someone scenes from the show? over he just came down and my knee AW: They’re all replaceable. said palpable and beautiful. It really NC: For me, the action is exciting, but bent sideways. I ended up with a NC: We like ’em but they’re all comes across that we get on with the most important part of the show bad sprain, but that was a close replaceable, it’s our show! No, it was each other. is the camaraderie and the love the moment. We’ve tried to do as many great. You know, we’ve got good characters have for each other. That’s of the stunts as we can to give the heavyweight people like Clarke Peters, And as you said, that’s what people what’s going to make this stand out. audience what we feel is fair for them. which says a lot… are going to buy into with the show. There’s a moment in the teaser that We’ve only really used stuntmen NC: I think so, yeah. everyone mentions when Bishop looks when we’ve been told it’s unsafe for When we spoke to Clarke he was very AW: I think we’d be in a really bad at Pike and says, “I don’t know what I’d us to do it. complimentary about you guys… place if we didn’t get on. I don’t think

21 you could do this show and pretend. happen. It’s either both of us, or I’ll be I think people would sense it. The show in my coffin with the treatment like relies on it, definitely. that [crosses arms over chest]. And sticking to that has paid dividends. So aside from the camaraderie And it’s doing good things for us, but between the characters, is there it’s more about what it could do for anything else you want people to the people after us. I’ve talked about take from watching the show? this before, but in the playground AW: We’ve been doing this for such when I was young, if you wanted to a long time, and we were kind of play TV shows like, say, The A-Team, pioneers for a lot of what’s going on the other kids would be like, “You’re now, whether it be in music, film or Mr T”. And I’d be like, “I wanna be TV, for black actors in the UK. But this Murdock”. And they’d say, “Nah, you’re show is a game-changer. That’s one of Mr T cos you’re black”. So I’d be like, the main things for me. “Fine, well let’s play Knight Rider”, and NC: It’s another glass ceiling gone. they’d say, “OK, you’re KITT. The car’s AW: Yeah. You know, we’ve broken a black, you’re black, you’re the car. I’ll boundary here. We conceptualised get on your back and you gotta run this show, we’re producing it, we’re around and carry me…” starring in it. And that’s kind of AW: [Laughing] Oh my god… unheard of. For many years when NC: That was my life. That was our we tried to push this idea the main lives. But now, people can be Black knockback was that there were two Panther. Hashtag Wakanda forever! black men in the lead roles. So it just They can be Bishop and Pike. In shows where we are now. their own show. And I think that’s NC: That’s a good point. There were important. Aspire to inspire. conversations at times in the past where we were told, “If you replace Finally, can you sum up Bulletproof one of you, we’ll make the show”. in three words? We’ve literally been told by people NC: Innovative, inspiring… that if it were one of us and X or AW: Are you looking for another I? one of us and Y, we could make NC: Nah I’m not. the show. And we’ve always had AW: Original. the stance that that’s not going to NC: Innovative, inspiring and original!

22 “NOEL AND ASHLEY ARE THE LEADS! THAT’S WHAT’S GOING TO MAKE THIS DIFFERENT”

A starring role in five What is his relationship with his son, classic seasons of The Pike, like? They both have a dilemma. Pike Snr Wire made him crime is torn over how to do the right drama royalty, and now thing for his son, and Pike’s dilemma is, do I follow Dad or do I follow my Clarke Peters is back heart? And at this point in time, behind a badge as I think he’s following his heart. Bulletproof’s Pike Snr There are grey areas in both of their lives, from an occupational and What was it that attracted you familial perspective, that are in to Bulletproof? conflict in places. Working on a British series with two fantastically talented young actors, What do you think Pike Snr Ashley and Noel. It’s them that made would consider to be his me really want to go for this. greatest achievement? Probably being chief at the NCA. Who is Pike Snr? That’s his greatest achievement. He works in law enforcement, and He does seem to be a man who’s he has a son who has the potential ambitious. He does also seem to to follow his path or take his own be a man who wants things to be CLARKE PETERS trajectory, so to speak. morally correct. 23 How is Bulletproof different to other dynamic between Pike and Pike Snr police series? brings up a lot of anger but when It has Noel and Ashley in the lead something happens to either one of roles, what else? Come on! Where else them, there’s an outpouring of love. have you seen that? I put it down to And so Pike Snr is threatened and the those two young men, and Nick Love young lion comes to the defence of being right behind them. That’s what’s his father and it was just wonderfully going to make this different. touching. It was Ashley’s scene, I was just part of it. What stood out for you when you read the scripts? London plays a big part in the show. We’re in a world that still talks about What’s your favourite thing about black-on-black crimes – no one uses the city? the phrase white-on-white crime – I love everything about London. I came and so their relationship alone, the here when I was about 20 years old, love, caring and pure respect between so for the past 45 years I’ve lived in these two black men, is something London. What drew me here were the you don’t often see on TV. There are arts and theatre, which I could see enormously funny moments too. They were very much part of your culture. I could be doing anything but still enjoy hope you don’t lose that. What’s kept each other’s company and respect. me here are my family and friends. This They could be football players and still is home, and there’s no place like it. have the same amusing relationship. They could be car mechanics and have Finally, can you sum up Bulletproof in the same patter. But they happen to three words? be police officers who want to do the Three words? OK… Exciting, dangerous right thing. and hilarious.

Are there any memorable moments from filming that stand out to you? Well I think probably the most memorable has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Ashley’s performance. The father-and-son

24 “TANNER’S A TOUGH COOKIE AND SHE SPEAKS HER MIND”

The EastEnders and Tell us a bit about your The Level star on the character, Tanner. She joined the police force from camaraderie between school and she’s worked her way up Bishop and Pike and the ladder. She’s good at her job – she’s earned her place as Branch how her character, Lead Commander at the NCA and she’s Officer Tanner, just about great at it. She is a tough cookie keeps them in line when she wants to be and she speaks her mind, but she’s fair and firm. What stood out to you about this She treats her team with warmth role and the series? and respect. I have played a few policewomen in my career and really enjoyed it, How would you describe her so I thought it would be fun to do relationship with Bishop and Pike and it again. I also liked the scripts and her methods of managing the pair? especially how the two male leads They have a good working relationship. interacted and the humour between She has to have strong boundaries to them – plus I get to tell them what keep them in line, though. to do because I am the boss! I also wanted to work with Nick, the writer You were, of course, in EastEnders – LINDSEY COULSON and director. 913 episodes according to IMDb! 25 Do you think Tanner’s nerves would the show that you can tell us about? be able to survive over 900 episodes Yes, eating lots of chocolate in of working with Bishop and Pike? loads of scenes and giggling with NO! Clarke Peters.

Alongside all the action, the show What three words best describe digs into themes of family and Bulletproof? friendship. How does Tanner fit Action-packed entertainment. into that? Tanner has worked with the boys for a long time and trusts them implicitly and, although she doesn’t always show it, their friendship means a lot to her. As a manager she cares about her team’s wellbeing.

It isn’t just a male-focused, macho cop show, is it? I don’t think so. It has some very strong female characters.

The show’s got a great cast. Did you enjoy working with them? I did, and it was a real treat to work with Clarke Peters, whose work I have admired for a long time.

London plays a big part in the story. What’s your favourite thing about the city? Its cultural diversity.

Were there any memorable moments or favourite scenes from

26 “I HONESTLY DON’T THINK WE’VE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS ON BRITISH TV BEFORE”

As a stage, screen and hybrid of the UK at its best with a movie star, Caroline US twist. It’s high-octane stuff. Goodall has played a Can you tell us a bit about your host of strong political character, Charlotte? She is one of the deputy mayors women. But, she says, of London, and she wants to be Bulletproof’s Charlotte mayor. She’s sparky, ambitious and Carmel breaks the mould unapologetic and she seems to navigate her way through life with a What attracted you to the show? lightness of touch. She’s also stylish, More than anything, what attracted very happy in her own skin and able to me to the series was that I was going connect with people in a real way. to be working with Noel and Ashley, who I have enormous respect for How does she fit into things at the as they’re just great talents. And beginning of the story? Nick Love and everyone at Sky and Charlotte goes back a very long way Vertigo, too. It just seemed like such with Pike Snr. They worked together a great team and the show sounded as police officers and stayed friends like something that we haven’t really after she left the force. She’s seen before: very energised and well godmother to Pike – she’s known him CAROLINE GOODALL written, rooted in reality and a kind of since he was born, she’s known his kids 27 since they were born, and so she has a all of these things fold into what It’s an action-packed show but with leadership. But she’s also a breath of deep connection to them and they see happens at the end, so it’s very clever themes of friendship and family fresh air and it’s a very contemporary her as family. She loves them deeply. and layered. also feels very warm and down-to- role. And to a certain extent it was just earth. Do you think that balance is nice to not need to put on an accent, What do you think about her It’s never too bleak or gritty, important in a show like this? or be American, or posh. It was nice to approach to her job? What are her though, is it? It’s really important because unless play someone who is more like me. plans for London? No, absolutely not. It has an edge but you have grounded characters the She believes she can effect change it’s shot in a super-cool, stylised way. rest of it, the action and everything, Do you have a favourite scene from and make things better. She’s a little With lots of car chases. That’s why I doesn’t have resonance. It resonates the show? left of centre and has enormous belief describe it as a hybrid: it’s got kind of because you’re so invested in the Oh, lordy! Actually, I think my favourite in herself – she’s aware of the glass a Luther feel, a little bit of The Wire, characters and where they’re going. was the lunch scene with the whole ceiling but also, I think, sees herself as little bits of other great cop shows. The fun thing was that because of family around the table at Pike’s a little outside of all that. But she’s But I honestly don’t think we’ve those interactions between the house. It was a really fun, vibrant and keen to push the women around her seen anything like this on British characters, we were able to include loose scene with lots of improv, and and take them into the higher echelons, television before. things we might not have on another for us as actors it was really nice for especially where Arjana is concerned. project – little moments of laughter or everybody to be together in a scene, And it’s got a great cast. Was it a fun improvisation. Hopefully that will make which is rare in a show like this. We all London plays a big part in the show. show to film? the show look very real. had a fantastic time that day. Could this story exist anywhere else? It was fantastic. We all got on really The series portrays a very big, well. I’ve worked with Clarke Peters You’ve been in an impressive list Are you a fan of buddy cop stories? complicated international city. before, some years ago, and I had a lot of productions across the stage, I’m a complete fan! Going back to Every episode the boys are thrown of scenes with Lashana and the boys. TV and film. How has working on Lethal Weapon, you name it. And I into situations that you’re only going We had a great time on set, there Bulletproof compared? think Bishop and Pike are the new, to face somewhere like London. was lots of laughter and everybody For me, it was great. I seem to have perfect pairing. And then there are the politics as was super-professional but also been doing a line of strong political well, which is what my character is relaxed, which is certainly what Nick women recently. In The White Princess And finally, what three words best more involved with – what it means Love brings to his projects. And Noel and The White Queen I played a very sum up Bulletproof? to be running a city of this size with all and Ashley are so funny – they have strong political woman, albeit in the Cool, edgy and fun. of its complexities. What I love about the most extraordinary dynamic and 15th century. I have a film coming out the show is all the characters are so amazing chemistry. Their relationship called Hunter Killer in which I play the well drawn, but also every episode is genuine, brotherly and competitive, US president. I’ve played the prime there’s a plotline that takes you into which is why their characters work minister of Great Britain, the first lady the city and its internal workings. so well. It was just a joy to go to work of the US… I guess Charlotte on one And what’s very interesting is that every day. level fits into that list as a woman in

28 “THE SHOW’S A PERFECT WAY TO ESCAPE”

Emma Rigby, whose character, Bishop. I think their career has taken her situation sums up a lot of people’s experience of long-term relationships: from Hollyoaks to they absolutely adore each other Hollywood, on her love of but at the same time sometimes they can’t bear each other! But London, her character, there’s an underlying, deep love Sophie, and what there. I thought that it was very attracted her to the show true to life. What drew you to the series? Does Bishop’s job contribute to It speaks to a modern audience. I liked that friction? the inclusivity in the script, and it’s Well, Sophie is a doctor. They both a story people will be able to relate have careers that demand so much to and engage with. And the humour time and I guess it shows that really carries it – I think we all need everybody works hard and wants more of that in our lives, laughter and to do the best for their family, and celebration. It’s a perfect way to escape. that’s where relationships can suffer. I think it also shows how committed Where does your character, Sophie, people are to the jobs they do, fit in to the story? especially police officers and doctors EMMA RIGBY She’s in a relationship with Noel’s and nurses. 29 There’s a lot of action in the show I absolutely wanted to be a part but relationships and family are big of this show. I’ve never been in a themes too. Are those things that Sky show before and the company also drew you to the role? produces such spectacular dramas, Absolutely. It revolves around with budgets that allow everybody to relationships, and that’s why all of the do their best work. Bulletproof has characters are driven to do the things such universal appeal and something that they do. for everybody. And the production values are definitely right up there The show’s got a great cast. Did you with any show from the US. enjoy working with them all? Yeah, I’d never worked with any of the London plays a big part in the series. people involved before and everyone What’s your favourite thing about was so lovely – it was a really fun, the city? upbeat shoot, which is always great. So this is incredible for me: last year I just love acting so much so any time was the first ever year that I lived you get to be on set and have a great in London. It’s the best city. I’m a time it’s a real delight. It was really nice northerner and I love the north, but I to work with Nick Love too. He was a just adore London. I love going to lovely person. the theatre all the time and it’s just so diverse and vibrant. It’s such a Were there any memorable moments special place. on set? Yes, Noel and I performed a really What do you think sets Bulletproof touching scene and he watched it apart? What would you like viewers back afterwards and text me about it, to take away from watching it? which was really nice. It’s great when I want people to be inspired by it, you’re so present and connected and which might sound like a strange thing feel like you’re really performing as to say about a cop show, but it has a opposed to just acting for the camera. very special way of telling its story.

You’ve starred in everything from What three words best describe British soaps to Hollywood films. the show? How has Bulletproof compared? Exhilarating, funny and real.

30 “NELL’S HARDCORE. SHE’S ALWAYS GOING THE EXTRA MILE”

No stranger to action What do you think about Nell’s approach to her job? She doesn’t drama, Christina Chong really come across as the shy, talks about her character, retiring type… Nell, her favourite Women cops have to work a lot harder and be a lot better just to get equal moments from filming, footing. She does just that with the and her favourite-ever pair of them. She’s always going the buddy cop film extra mile.

Tell us a little bit about your She takes a few knocks in the course character, Nell… of the series, too, doesn’t she? Nell is a woman in a man’s world. Don’t worry, she’s hardcore. That’s the A tomboy with heart. trouble with striving to be the best and pushing your limits. She gets to How would you describe her shine when it comes to her physical relationship with her colleagues aptitude but that doesn’t come Bishop and Pike? without a few bumps and bruises. She matches their testosterone and I mean… whatever, she’s used to it. inhabits their banter-filled world with ease. There’s a brother-sister vibe, Of course, having starred in shows CHRISTINA CHONG until things heat up… such as 24 and Dominion, you’re used 31 to action-packed series. Did you have on, maybe that means I was the one? to do any preparation for the action Haha! We really bonded as a team, there scenes in this? were lots of giggles and coffee runs. We had a few fight rehearsals but no, not really. I try to keep myself action- Do you have a favourite scene? ready at all times. Go me! I do, but I can’t tell you about it because it’ll give the story away… Do any action scenes or stunts stand out from the filming of Bulletproof? What attracted you to the show? The Sharp-Ray chase. It was the first This is an important time for diversity day on camera for me and Maza and Bulletproof nails the cop genre [Jason, who plays Munroe], and we with energy, drama and a lot of laughs. had to sprint about 100m uphill in the freezing cold for the majority of This year is a big one for Sky the day. I feel like we should have original productions – how does been given medals or something for it feel to be part of that with that. It was my favourite action scene Bulletproof? because it meant we didn’t have to go It’s great. I feel very lucky to be to the gym that night. given such a great opportunity at what’s such an important time for There’s more to Bulletproof than just this industry. the action, though, isn’t there? I’ve actually just watched the first London plays a big part in the series. trailer and I was laughing all the way What’s your favourite thing about through it. I thought, brilliant! It’s funny the capital? and it’s action packed, exactly what I Coffee shops, lights at night, culture thought it was going to be. But then and diversity. the drama kicked in… I was actually surprised at how emotional it is. What’s the best buddy cop movie? Rush Hour, of course. Bulletproof’s got a great cast. Did you enjoy working with them all? What three words best describe Well, they say there’s always one… Bulletproof for you? but on this there wasn’t. But hang Groundbreaking, relevant and diverse.

32 Sophie Jones [email protected] 020 7032 3513 Philippa Jones 020 7032 1491 [email protected] Stills https://seac.bskyb.com [email protected] For previews contact [email protected] CONTACTS 33