Chimerica press pack

Category: Press Pack

9 April 2019

A powerful and timely 4-part thriller about a dedicated American photojournalist who, when accusations of fake news are levelled against him, tries to reclaim his credibility by setting out to find the subject of his most famous picture – the Tank Man of Tiananmen Square.

Produced by Playground (Wolf Hall, Howards End, Little Women), Chimerica is based on Lucy Kirkwood’s eponymous acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning stageplay.

Exploring not just the relationship between East and West, but also some of the most urgent issues affecting society today, Chimerica, completely updated from the original play, is set against the 2016 US Presidential election. The series delves deep into the new world of fake news, censorship and the power of political protest.

The series stars SAG Award-winner Alessandro Nivola (American Hustle, Disobedience) as Lee Berger; Emmy Award-winner Cherry Jones (Transparent, The Handmaid’s Tale) as Mel Kincaid; Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, The Hollow Crown) as Tess Kendrick; Oscar-winner F. Murray Abraham (Homeland, The Grand Budapest Hotel) as Frank Sams; and Terry Chen (Jessica Jones, Unreal) plays Zhang Lin.

Chimerica starts on April 17th at 9pm on Channel 4. The whole series will be available on All 4 after the first episode as the show continues weekly on the channel

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Press Pack

9 Apr 19 Press Pack Article

Chimerica: Series Synopsis

Beijing, 1989. As the Chinese army violently forces protestors out of Tiananmen Square, a man carrying two shopping bags stands in front of a line of tanks. Young, frightened LEE BERGER reaches for his camera and takes a photo that will change his life forever. New York, 2016. Presidential candidate

9 Apr 19 Press Pack Article

Chimerica: Characters

Meet the characters of Chimerica

9 Apr 19 Press Pack Article

Chimerica: Interview with writer Lucy Kirkwood

Lucy discusses the transition of Chimerica from stage to screen

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Alessandro Nivola (Lee)

Alessandro talks about Lee's journey

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Terry Chen (Zhang Lin)

What were your first impressions reading Lucy Kirkwood's script? I was incredibly impressed. I was blown away by how full of life every character was and how poignant and timely the story is. Could you set up the story of Chimerica for us? Chimerica takes place in the run up to the 2016 US

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Cherry Jones (Mel Kincaid)

Mel talks first impressions from reading the script and why she thinks Chimerica is relevant today

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Sophie Okonedo (Tess Kendrick)

Sophie talks about Tess' backstory

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with F Murray Abraham (Frank Sams)

What were your first impressions reading Lucy Kirkwood's script? It's literate, smart, and it's so well written. Chimerica deals with material that's truly important, and I think that's not too common these days. It’s clear that there are serious problems and corruption in the relationship between

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Colin Callender, Exec Producer

What were your first impressions reading Lucy Kirkwood’s script? I first saw Chimerica on the stage, and it was an extraordinary production, and absolutely mesmerizing. For two reasons: one is because Lucy's writing is so vibrant, witty and energetic, and secondly because it's unusual to find a play

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Sophie Gardiner, Exec Producer

What were your first impressions reading Lucy Kirkwood's script? I actually saw the play years ago and absolutely loved it. I was delighted with the opportunity to work on it as a screenplay adaptation with Playground – Colin Callender had already bought the rights to the play so we could begin work

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Adrian Sturges, Producer

What were your first impressions reading Lucy Kirkwood's script? I was aware of the play and I just loved how the screenplay built on the iconic photograph of the Tank Man that we all recognise and remember. It’s a fascinating take to use that entry point to explore how that picture was created and

9 Apr 19 Interview

Chimerica: Interview with Michael Keillor, Director

What were your first impressions reading Lucy Kirkwood's script? My first impression reading the script was that it spoke insightfully of America, Trump and the world we're in - but also had a human story about two men reconnecting and a friendship which evolves over 25 years. It’s also a thriller