Highlights 2020 New Drama Des Press Contacts Rich Cain 0207 836 3030 [email protected] Picture Contact Patrick Smith 020 7157 3044 [email protected] Production Details Des is written by Luke Neal and developed by Luke Neal and Lewis Des is a true-crime drama focusing on one of the most Arnold based on material from the infamous criminal cases in UK history – Dennis Nilsen. book Killing for Company by Brian Masters. The series is Directed by Referred to as the ‘kindly killer’, Nilsen (David Tennant) was a local civil servant who Lewis Arnold, Produced by David spent five years murdering boys and young men he met on the streets of Soho, London Meanti and Executive Produced by from 1978 to 1983. He would meet and befriend these men before offering them Willow Grylls, Kim Varvell, Charlie food or lodgings for the evening back at his North London flat. His victims were often Pattinson and Elaine Pyke for New homeless or living off grid, having slipped through the cracks of 1980s society and Pictures, Polly Hill for ITV and were therefore welcoming of this stranger’s apparent generosity. When he was finally caught on 9th February 1983, Nilsen had murdered as many as 15 men over a period of Lewis Arnold, Luke Neal and David five years, making him Britain’s most prolific serial killer of the time. Tennant. After his arrest, Nilsen was astonishing in his honesty: initially admitting outright to all 15 murders in the police car outside his flat. But infuriatingly for the investigating detectives, he couldn’t remember any of his victims’ names. With no apparent motive, inconclusive forensic evidence and most of Nilsen’s victims living off-grid, the police started the biggest manhunt investigation in UK history. This time not for the murderer, but for the murdered. The story is told through the prism of three isolated men - a detective, a biographer, and Nilsen himself. While Detective Peter Jay (Daniel Mays) and the police investigation’s attempt to get justice for as many victims as possible provides the narrative and emotional spine, the relationship between Nilsen and his biographer Brian Masters (Jason Watkins) allows us to delve into the mind of one of the most emotionally elusive serial killers the world has ever seen. Can we ever really understand the mind of a psychopathic serial killer? And, if we try, what price do we pay? New Drama Honour Press Contact Sarah Gaffney 0207 157 3066 [email protected] Picture Contact Patrick Smith 020 7157 3044 [email protected] Production Details Produced by Hera Pictures in association with Buddy Club. Richard Laxton directed both episodes and Alliea Nazar Two part factual drama, Honour, starring Keeley Hawes, is produced. Liza Marshall, written by Gwyneth Hughes and directed by Richard Laxton. Gwyneth Hughes, Peter Kosminsky and Keeley Hawes Keeley plays the real-life detective, DCI Caroline Goode, who executive produce. brought five killers to justice in the heartbreaking true story of Banaz Mahmod, the young Londoner murdered for falling in love with the wrong man. Produced by Hera Pictures in association with Buddy Club, Honour tells the powerful story of DCI Goode’s passionate search to discover the fate of missing 20-year old Banaz. DCI Goode discovered that Banaz had been to the police five times to report threats to her life from members of her own family. Appalled that her own colleagues had missed multiple chances to save a young woman’s life and prevent a so-called “honour” killing, Caroline vowed that she would not rest until she finally got justice for Banaz. This tense and emotionally vivid drama brings Caroline’s long and unwavering quest to life. Richard Laxton directed both episodes and Alliea Nazar produced. Liza Marshall, Gwyneth Hughes, Peter Kosminsky and Keeley Hawes executive produce. New Drama The Sister Press Contact Rich Cain 0207 836 3030 [email protected] Picture Contact Patrick Smith 020 7157 3044 [email protected] Production Details How far would you go to keep a secret? The four-part series is written by One rainy evening, Nathan is surprised by an unwelcome face from the past. Neil Cross and is inspired by the novel Burial, also written by Neil Nathan (Russell Tovey) has never been able to forget the worst night of his life: a party Cross (Luther, Hard Sun, Spooks, that led to the sudden, shocking death of a young woman. Mama). Executive Producers are Euston Films Managing Director Kate Harwood (Dublin Murders, Hard Sun, Baghdad Central), alongside Executive Producer for Euston Films, Noemi Spanos (Dublin Murders), and Neil Cross. The series is directed by Niall MacCormick (The Victim, The Durrells, Doctor Thorne) and produced by Jonathan Curling (Tin Star, Baghdad Central). Only he and Bob (Bertie Carvel), an eccentric old acquaintance, know what really happened… and they’ve resolved to keep it that way. But years later, Bob appears at The Sister is a Euston Films Nathan’s door with terrifying news that threatens to tear Nathan’s world apart. Because production for ITV and is Nathan has his own secrets now. distributed internationally Secrets that could destroy everything he has desperately fought to build for himself by Fremantle. The series was and his family. commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill. The four-part drama also stars Amrita Archaria and Nina Toussaint-White. New Drama Singapore Grip Press Contact Jo Blanket 020 7157 3011 [email protected] Picture Contact Patrick Smith 020 7157 3044 [email protected] Production Details Manhunt was directed by Marc Luke Treadaway, David Morrissey, Elizabeth Tan, Jane Evans (Trauma, Safe House, Horrocks, Colm Meaney, Georgia Blizzard and Charles Dance Hinterland) and produced by Jo star in an epic and ambitious adaptation of The Singapore Willett. The executive producer Grip produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios. was Philippa Braithwaite (Doc Martin, Arthur & George). Adapted from Booker Prize winner JG Farrell’s satirical novel by Oscar-winning screenwriter and playwright Sir Christopher Hampton, The Singapore Grip is an epic story set during World War Two, focusing on a British family living in Singapore in 1941 at the time of the Japanese invasion. Olivier Award-winning actor Luke Treadaway plays the reluctant hero and innocent abroad Matthew Webb. Award- winning actor David Morrissey takes the role of ruthless rubber merchant Walter Blackett, who is head of British Singapore’s oldest and most powerful firm, alongside his business partner Webb played by Charles Dance OBE. With Webb’s health failing, Walter needs to ensure the future of their firm is secure. He decides Webb’s son Matthew is the perfect match for his spoilt daughter Joan (Georgia Blizzard). Matthew’s idealism leaves Walter increasingly suspicious as Matthew himself falls under the spell of Vera Chiang (Elizabeth Tan), a mysterious Chinese refugee. Jane Horrocks plays Sylvia Blackett, Walter’s wife and Colm Meaney plays Major Brendan Archer. Also joining the esteemed cast are Luke Newberry playing Walter’s son Monty, Bart Edwards as Captain James Ehrendorf and Christophe Guybet as Dupigny. Soaps Coronation Street Press Contact Alison Sinclair 0161 952 6216 [email protected] Francesca Evans 0161 952 6207 [email protected] Picture Contact David Crook 0161 952 6214 [email protected] Production Details With the 60th anniversary of the world’s longest-running soap opera just around the corner, the autumn build up promises fireworks for the residents of Coronation Street as the past comes back to haunt some and others struggle to face the future. Rovers landlord Johnny Connor, factory boss Nick Tylsley and local vicar Billy Mayhew have all had their fair share of problems - and they are about to find out that you never erase your past in Soapland! Each of them head into the autumn with ghosts from their past causing them more than a little trouble. Meanwhile, Daniel Barlow, Abi Franklin, Michael Bailey and David Platt are looking to the future, but will it be rosy? Daniel’s feelings for sex worker Nicky are growing, much to his family’s dismay, but can he persuade them and Nicky that they belong together? Abi has settled into number 13 with Kevin, but can she really move on and banish her demons? Michael is keen to have a proper family with Grace and Tianna and he’s ready to pop the question, but will he get the answer he wants? Meanwhile, the cracks in David and Shona’s relationship are growing, despite his attempts to save the marriage, but it is the giant sinkhole in the back garden that causes the biggest problem for the family and the other residents. Elsewhere, the two big stories that have got the nation talking continue. Determined to give her dying son the best possible chance, Leanne resorts to desperate measures which threaten to tear the family apart. With Yasmeen out of harm’s reach for now in the prison hospital, Alya finds herself on the receiving end of Geoff’s manipulation and mind games, will he push her to breaking point? Soaps Emmerdale Press Contact Janine Goodall 0113 222 7121 [email protected] Emily Ogden 0113 222 7110 [email protected] Picture Contact David Crook 0161 952 6214 [email protected] Production Details Dark secrets, betrayal and long-lost family reunions are at the centre of the village this autumn. After the murder and cover-up of one of Emmerdale’s most notorious characters, one resident will find themselves spiralling into darkness. Intent on self destruction, their actions will have devastating consequences for others... Belle and Jamie’s relationship continues to cause rifts, but where do Belle’s loyalties lie? Belle will find herself in the midst of the feud, but is she capable of betrayal? If so, who will she betray? Moira’s family background and her childhood has remained a mystery, but that is all about to change.