David Tennant, Cush Jumbo lead cast of gripping 4-part drama Deadwater Fell (w/t)

6 June 2019

Deadwater Fell (w/t), a new 4X60’ drama written by Daisy Coulam (Humans, Grantchester) and produced by Kudos, part of Endemol Shine UK, follows two families in the aftermath of a horrific crime. The series, set in the small fictional town of Kirkdarroch, starts filming this month entirely on location in Scotland.

When a seemingly perfect and happy family is murdered by someone they know and trust, the small Scottish community they call home becomes riven with mistrust and suspicion as those closest to the family begin to question everything they thought they knew about their friends...

As much as it is an exploration of the anatomy of a terrible crime, Deadwater Fell (w/t) is equally a forensic dissection of two relationships – Kate and Tom, Jess and Steve. BAFTA and NTA-winning David Tennant (Broadchurch, Dr Who, Good Omens) stars as Tom Kendrick. The local GP, a trusted, admired and much-liked member of the community. A doting father to three little girls, a loving husband, his marriage to Kate, played by Anna Madeley (Patrick Melrose, The Crown, Utopia) appears nothing short of perfect. Kate teaches at the local primary school working alongside her best friend, and closest confidante, Jess Milner.

Jess, played by Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Vera), used to be a bit of an outsider, someone who could never really settle down. But when she met Steve 6 years ago, she quickly moved to Kirkdarroch and made a home with him. She helps him look after his two sons from his previous marriage with whom he shares custody with his ex. Steve, played by Matthew McNulty (Versailles, Cleaning Up, The Terror), was born and raised in Kirkdarroch. A Police Sergeant, he’s not had to deal with much crime in the sleepy village and their happy life together is only marred by their struggle to have a child of their own.   

But in one night the illusions of happiness and contentment are shattered as the community is drawn to Kate and Tom’s family home in the forest by the flicker of flames and the smell of smoke. Amid the confusion of the house fire, Kate and her three children are found dead, and Tom, who is found alive, is rushed to hospital. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Kate and her children weren’t killed in the fire and the village realise that something unspeakable has happened. As the fingers of suspicion point first to Tom, then to others as more details of that night emerge, Jess becomes desperate to understand what could have caused such a tragedy, and what secrets lie at the root of this terrible act. She puts everything she has on the line to get to the truth, no matter how difficult that truth may be to accept.

Of the series David Tennant says, “Daisy Coulam has written something very special, chilling and fascinating with these scripts. I am honoured and delighted to be part of telling this extraordinary story.”

Cush Jumbo adds, “I’m so excited to be part of bringing Daisy’s dark and mysterious story and the character of Jess to life.”

Deadwater Fell (w/t) examines in unflinching detail the nature of female friendship and the harmful, entrenched gender stereotypes and conformity that can lead to the most devasting consequences. Laying bare the fragility of trust and the corrosive nature of lies, the series demonstrates that even the closest of friends all have their secrets.

Deadwater Fell (w/t) is directed by Lynsey Miller (The Boy with the Topknot, Eve), Executive Producers are Emma Kingsman-Lloyd (Humans, Grantchester) and Karen Wilson (Utopia, The Tunnel), David Tennant and Daisy Coulam with Caroline Levy (Beecham House, Hooten & The Lady, The Mill) producing. Deadwater Fell (w/t) is produced by Kudos (Humans, Utopia, Tin Star), part of the Endemol Shine Group, for Channel 4 and has been commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Drama, Caroline Hollick and Commissioning Editor, Manpreet Dosanjh. The 4X60’ series will be distributed globally by Endemol Shine International.  

***ENDS***

 

For further information please contact:

Ryan Davies

Group Publicity Manager – Scripted

Alex Dyche

Corporate Publicity Manager, Endemol Shine Group

About Kudos

Kudos, part of the Endemol Shine Group, is one of the world’s leading television production companies. We are a team of individuals – passionate programme makers who specialise in scripted content. We work with the best global talent to create, develop and produce popular, innovative, award-winning drama and comedy series. Recent work includes Humans (Channel 4 / AMC), Troy: Fall of a City (a co-production with Wild Mercury for BBC 1 / Netflix), The Tunnel (Sky Atlantic), The Boy with the Topknot (BBC 2), Gunpowder (BBC 1), Tin Star (Sky Atlantic / Amazon), Man in an Orange Shirt (BBC 2), Grantchester (ITV),Broadchurch (ITV) and Apple Tree Yard (BBC 1). We are also in production on a third series of Tin Star, a fifth series of Grantchester, a new series for ITV (Deep Water) and a US version of hit series Utopia for Amazon.

About Endemol Shine Group

With world-class creative, production, distribution and commercial capabilities, Endemol Shine Group works on a unique local and global axis, comprised of 120 companies across all the world’s major markets, dedicated to creating content that entertains and enthrals billions of people around the world. Endemol Shine Group’s drama portfolio is international and diverse, with acclaimed worldwide hits such as Humans, Bron, Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror, Grantchester, Spring Tide, Penoza and Broadchurch. Global hits include MasterChef, Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, The Money Drop, Your Face Sounds Familiar, The Brain, Hunted and The Island along with new travelling formats All Together Now, Family Food Fight and Big Bounce Battle. Our content is enjoyed wherever the audience wants to watch and generates more than 3 billion monthly views online, with titles such as Mr. Bean now among the world’s most popular entertainment brands on platforms including YouTube and Facebook. In 2018, Endemol Shine Group had 700 productions on air across 270 platforms in more than 70 territories, travelling more formats than any of our peers.