Expectation and Happy Tramp North have secured a four-part drama, Guilt, for BBC Scotland and BBC2. It is BBC Scotland’s first drama order for its new digital channel.
The show is written by Neil Forsyth (Eric, Ernie and Me, Bob Servant), directed by Robbie McKillop (Cleaning Up, Clique) and stars Mark Bonnar (Catastrophe, Line of Duty and Unforgotten) and Jamie Sives (Chernobyl, Frontier & Game of Thrones).
Set in Edinburgh, Guilt is billed as a “stylish, contemporary drama with riveting plot twists and a strong vein of black humour throughout.” The story follows two disparate Scottish brothers Max (Bonnar) and Jake (Sives) who, while driving home from a wedding together one night, accidentally run over and kill an old man on a darkened street. After making the panicked decision to cover their tracks, the brothers seem to get away with their crime. However, as neighbours and relatives of the dead man begin to suspect his death wasn’t as innocent as it initially seemed, the brothers find their lives rapidly falling apart as their actions begin to catch up with them. Their increasingly desperate attempts to conceal their guilt lead them further into a world where everyone seems to have a hidden agenda and they discover they can trust no-one, ultimately including each other.
Happy Tramp North Executive Producer Neil Webster said: “We’re very excited and proud to be co-producing the first drama for the new BBC Scotland channel. Neil Forsyth has crafted an incredibly gripping story with a brilliantly off-kilter sensibility that puts everyone – the characters and the audience – well and truly through the ringer.”
Kirstie Macdonald, Creative Director for Drama, Expectation added: “As soon as I read Neil Forsyth’s script, I was bowled over by the dynamic world he had created and the brilliant characters of brothers, Max and Jake. I am delighted to be working with Happy Tramp North on the first drama commission for BBC Scotland’s new channel and to be bringing two of Scotland’s most talented actors Mark and Jamie home to film the project.”
Gavin Smith, Scripted Commissioning Executive, BBC Scotland said: “To be filming our first original drama locally for the new channel, and have Mark and Jamie starring with Robbie directing, highlights our commitment to Scottish talent. We’re really thrilled to be working with Happy Tramp North and Expectation to bring this ambitious project to life”
Gregor Sharp, Commissioning Editor for BBC Comedy added: “We’re delighted to be supporting this hugely exciting project – Neil Forsyth’s scripts are packed with tension, moral ambiguity, and off-beat humour and we can’t wait to see this fantastic array of talent bring them to life.”
Guilt will be co-produced by Expectation and Happy Tramp North. Written by Neil Forsyth and directed by Robbie McKillop the Executive Producers are Kirstie Macdonald for Expectation and Neil Webster for Happy Tramp North. Commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning, Steve Carson, Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning BBC Scotland and Patrick Holland, Controller BBC Two. The Commissioning Executives for the BBC are Gregor Sharp and Gavin Smith. The series will premiere on BBC Scotland’s digital channel and follow on BBC Two later this year.
Guilt will be internationally distributed by BBC Studios.
Staff Reporter
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