Kiss Me First, from creator of Skins, to premiere on C4 & Netflix

14 January 2016

Kiss Me First, an innovative and emotional thriller series written by Bryan Elsley (Skins, Dates) is coming to Channel 4 and Netflix.

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Based on Lottie Moggach's debut novel, Kiss Me First moves between the real and virtual animated worlds. When Leila (Tallulah Haddon, Taboo, The Living and the Dead) stumbles across Red Pill, a secret paradise, hidden on the edges of her favourite game, she meets Tess (Simona Brown, The Night Manager). Tess is everything that Leila is not: hedonistic, impulsive and insatiable. So when Tess turns up in Leila's real life uninvited, Leila's world is forever changed. But then a member of the group mysteriously disappears and Leila begins to suspect that maybe the hidden sanctuary isn't the digital Eden its creator Adrian claims it to be. Now, Leila's real journey begins.

Piers Wenger, Head of Drama at Channel 4, said; “This is a thrilling and truly ground-breaking series which takes an emotional look at the lives of a group of young gamers and the truth which exists behind their online life. We are thrilled to be welcoming Bryan Elsley back to lead a group of new writers and to helm this exciting new show.”

Larry Tanz, Vice President Global Television at Netflix, said: "Netflix is committed to bringing the work of bold and innovative voices like Bryan's to our subscribers around the world. Kiss Me First is a show with global themes and resonance, and we are proud to launch the show simultaneously across the entire world, exclusively on Netflix immediately after its broadcast in the UK."

Bryan Elsley, writer and Executive Producer, added; “I'm very excited to be working with Channel 4 again alongside Balloon, award winning Kindle Entertainment, Netflix and our brilliant animators Axis. We hope to thrill and mystify our audience on a headlong ride through emotions, intrigue and virtual reality.”

Melanie Stokes, Joint Managing Director, Kindle Entertainment and Executive Producer said; “The opportunity to be working alongside Bryan Elsley and E4 on Lottie Moggach's superb debut novel is, to be honest, a dream come true.”

Kiss Me First (6 x 60’) is being adapted from Lottie Moggach’s best-selling novel by Bryan Elsley (Skins, Dates). The series will be produced by Balloon – the production company co-owned by Bryan Elsley and Harry Enfield - and Kindle Entertainment for Channel 4 in association with Netflix. Bryan Elsley and Melanie Stokes will be Executive Producers on the project and Bradley Adams will be the producer. Kiss Me First was commissioned for Channel 4 by Head of Drama Piers Wenger and Beth Willis, production will begin in 2016.