The Fall

New Gillian Anderson drama The Fall has become the biggest drama series launch in eight years on BBC Two.

The series won its slot and opened with an average audience of 3.5M and 15.4% share, peaking at 3.6M, making it the highest drama series launch on the channel since Rome in 2005. It also beat the BBC Two slot average of 1.79m (7.4%) for the past 12 months.

Starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, The Fall is a gripping psychological thriller that forensically examines the lives of two hunters. One is a serial killer who stalks his victims at random in and around Belfast and the other is a talented female Detective Superintendent on secondment from the MET who is brought in to catch him. Continue reading »

Hollyoaks actress Bronagh Waugh has been added to the cast of the new BBC Two drama The Fall.

The actress, who plays Cheryl Brady in the soap, will play the wife of a serial killer in the new series, which also features Gillian Anderson.

 ”I am so thrilled and honoured to have been given this opportunity by the BBC. It is such a challenging and demanding role that I feel will really stretch me and explore my range.

“Allan Cubitt’s script is the kind that actors can only dream of and to be involved with such an esteemed cast and creative team is a definite career high for me.

“I’m so lucky to have such an understanding boss at Hollyoaks. Emma Smithwick, our executive producer, was so supportive and did everything in her power to enable me to do both.

“She knew what an amazing opportunity it was for me. It’s been tough – working seven days a week and flying back and forth between Belfast and Liverpool – but I absolutely love it!”

Source: Digital Spy

Irish actress Seainin Brennan has been added to the cast of new BBC Two series The Fall.

The actress will join Gillan Anderson in the thriller, playing a character called Liz Tyler who becomes the target of a serial killer.

“I am thrilled and excited about taking on the role of Liz Tyler,” she said. 

“it’s an emotionally-charged performance which takes the character, and the audience, on an emotional rollercoaster that will grip and enthral lovers of quality drama.”

Brennan expressed her excitement about the prospect of working with writer Allan Cubitt (Murphy’s Law) on the series.

“Allan Cubitt is such a brilliant writer,” said Brennan. “So to be given the chance to play one of his characters is a career highlight for me.

“I have had the honour of working with some amazing actors at the top of their craft so it will be a huge honour working with Gillian, Jamie and the rest of the fantastic cast on The Fall.”

The project is currently filming in Belfast and will hit screens later in the year.

Source: Digital Spy

Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan (Once Upon a Time, Shadows in the Sun) will join Gillian Anderson in a gripping psychological thriller that forensically examines the lives of two hunters.

Dornan plays serial killer Paul Sector, who stalks his victims in and around Belfast. Anderson is talented Detective Superintendent Gibson on secondment from the Met, brought in to catch him.

Produced by Artists Studio and written by Allan Cubitt (The Runaway, Murphy’s Law, Prime Suspect), the five episodes will follow the police investigation uncovering the intricate story of the lives entangled by a series of murders – both the killers’ and the victims’ families.

Allan Cubitt says: “When I think of the great television drama from my formative years I think first and foremost of their writers. I applaud wholeheartedly Artists Studio’s attempt, with the support of the BBC, to put the writer back at the heart – and head – of British TV drama.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says: “The Fall is a unique, forensic and characterful take on a classic genre that continues BBC Two’s commitment to original British drama in 2012. Cubitt’s rich and complex psychological thriller combined with another compelling performance from Gillian Anderson will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.”

Artists Studio was set up by former BOX TV alumni JustinThomson-Glover, Gub Neal and Patrick Irwin. Gub Neal and Julian Stevens will produce with Allan Cubitt, Justin Thomson-Glover and Patrick Irwin acting as executive producers. Neal and Cubitt both won Primetime Emmy’s for their work on Prime Suspect 2 and 5.

Filming has started in Belfast. The series was commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two and Ben Stephenson, Controller of Drama Commissioning, and will be executive produced by Stephen Wright through BBC Northern Ireland.

This commission continues to demonstrate BBC Two’s commitment to original British drama in 2012. It will join a raft of new dramas on the channel this year including Paula Milne’s White Heat; Jed Mercurio’s Line of Duty; Sir Tom Stoppard’s Parade’s End; a second series of The Hour and a major new cycle of Shakespeare’s four most acclaimed historical works, part of a season based on the Bard’s life and works.

The Fall is a gripping psychological thriller that forensically examines the lives of two hunters. One is a serial killer who stalks his victims at random in and around Belfast and the other is a talented female Detective Superintendent on secondment from the MET who is brought in to catch him.

Produced by Artists Studio and written by Allan Cubitt (The Runaway, Murphy’s Law, Prime Suspect), the five episodes will follow the police investigation uncovering the intricate story of the lives entangled by a series of murders – both the killer’s and the victims’ families.

Gillian Anderson stars as DSI Gibson, who arrives to conduct a 28 day review at a Belfast station where the police are getting nowhere on a high profile murder case.

Further casting will be announced soon, with filming starting in Belfast next month.

Allan Cubitt says: “When I think of the really great television drama from my formative years I think first and foremost of their writers. I applaud wholeheartedly Artists Studio’s attempt – with the support of the BBC – to put the writer back at the heart – and head – of British TV drama.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, says: “The Fall is a unique, forensic and characterful take on a classic genre that continues BBC Two’s commitment to original British drama in 2012. Cubitt’s rich and complex psychological thriller combined with another compelling performance from Gillian Anderson will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.”

Artists Studio, set up by former BOX TV alumni; Justin Thomson-Glover, Gub Neal and Patrick Irwin. Gub Neal and Julian Stevens will produce with Allan Cubitt, Justin Thomson-Glover and Patrick Irwin acting as executive producers. Neal and Cubitt both won Primetime Emmy’s for their work on Prime Suspect 2 and 5.

Gub Neal says: “We are delighted to be working with Allan, he is a fantastic writer and handles the subject matter with extraordinary sensitivity and intelligence.”

Julian Stevens says: “The development of this project has been a joy ever since the first meeting with the BBC in Belfast and I am excited to be cutting my producing teeth on such an ambitious project.”

The series was commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two and Ben Stephenson, Controller of Drama Commissioning, and will be executive produced by Stephen Wright through BBC Northern Ireland. With funding from Northern Ireland Screen supported by Invest NI and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

This commission continues to demonstrate BBC Two’s commitment to original British drama in 2012. It will join a raft of new dramas on the channel this year including Paula Milne’s White Heat, Jed Mercurio’s Line Of Duty, Sir Tom Stoppard’s Parade’s End, a second series of The Hour and a major new cycle of Shakespeare’s four most acclaimed historical works as part of a season based on the Bard’s life and works.