Channel 4 commissions new crime thriller Before We Die starring Lesley Sharp

17 September 2020

Channel 4 has commissioned six-part crime thriller, Before We Die, starring Lesley Sharp, Vincent Regan and Patrick Gibson, from newly formed production company, Eagle Eye Drama, launched by the same team behind global drama brand, Walter Presents.

Based on the hit Swedish series of the same name, Before We Die is set in Bristol and is Eagle Eye’s second drama commission.

Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, Three Girls, Bob & Rose) leads the cast as detective Hannah Laing who becomes deeply conflicted when she discovers her son is playing a crucial role as an undercover informant in a brutal murder investigation. Patrick Gibson (The Tudors, The OA) plays the role of her mixed-up son, Christian, while Croatian actor Toni Gojanović, who starred in HBO Europe’s recent hit series, Success, will take on the role of Davor Mimica the leader of the criminal gang. Vincent Regan (Troy, 300, Wallander) stars as Billy Murdoch, a non-conformist investigator, who is seconded to Hannah’s unit to advise on Eastern European drug gangs.

Channel 4 Head of Drama Caroline Hollick, who commissioned the series, says: “Every episode of Before We Die is a rollercoaster of excitement – and I’m so delighted to have Lesley Sharp bring her trademark gravitas and charisma to Channel 4.  It’s a privilege to be part of this truly inspiring European collaboration.”

Jo McGrath, Executive Producer and CCO of Eagle Eye Drama, commented:  “Before We Die is a powerful and original series which uses the grammar and architecture of a nail-biting crime thriller to tell the compelling emotional story of a mother and son’s dysfunctional relationship, beautifully juxtaposed against the close-knit ties of the crime family they are trying to bring to justice. Before We Die stands out as truly distinctive crime drama and I can think of no better actress than Lesley Sharp to bring this complex lead character to life.”

Commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Drama Caroline Hollick and Commissioning Editor Gwen Gorst, the series will be directed by leading Belgian director, Jan Matthys (Baptiste, The Last Kingdom, Our Girl), and has been adapted by Matt Baker. Before We Die will be filmed in Bristol and Belgium during Autumn/Winter 2020 with Jo McGrath, Walter Iuzzolino and Bert Hamelinck as Executive Producers.

The series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama in association with Caviar and is supported by Screen Flanders, DPG Media and the Belgian tax shelter via Caviar Film Financing. PBS Distribution holds the North American rights and ZDF Enterprises will distribute the series worldwide.

ENDS

Press contact:

Susan Wilks, Group Publicity Manager

swilks@channel4.co.uk

 

Pictures:

PicturePublicity@Channel4.co.uk

 

ABOUT EAGLE EYE DRAMA

Eagle Eye Drama was formed by Walter Iuzzolino, Jo McGrath and Jason Thorp, the same three founders and creative team behind the global drama company Walter Presents. The company focuses on producing English language series inspired by hit foreign language shows they have discovered and championed from around the world. Eagle Eye Drama has the full backing of Channel 4, who have a minority stake in the new company invested through the growth fund.