Deadwater Fell first look images released

29 October 2019

The first unit stills have been released from new 4-part drama Deadwater Fell, starring BAFTA and NTA-winning David Tennant, Cush Jumbo, Anna Madeley and Matthew McNulty.

Filmed entirely on location in Scotland production wrapped-up on the series, set in the small fictional town of Kirkdarroch, at the end of the summer, with TX scheduled for early next year. It is produced by Kudos, part of Endemol Shine UK, and created by Daisy Coulam (Grantchester).

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...

Deadwater Fell 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.

As much as it is an exploration of the anatomy of a terrible crime, Deadwater Fell is equally a forensic dissection of two relationships – Kate and Tom, Jess and Steve. 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.  

Deadwater Fell 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 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.