Annika, written by Perrier nominated writer Nick Walker and produced by BAFTA award-winning Black Camel Pictures (Falling for Figaro, Off the Rails) for UKTV, Masterpiece and All3Media International, welcomes a star-studded cast.
Jamie Sives (Guilt, Frontier), Katie Leung (The Nest, Roadkill) and Ukweli Roach (Blindspot, Humans) join Nicola Walker (The Split, Unforgotten), in the six-part series which is due to air on Alibi later this year.
The series also welcomes Kate Dickie (The Nest, The Cry) as DCI Diane Oban, and Silvie Furneaux (Limbo) as Annika Strandhed’s daughter, Morgan. Filming is currently underway in Scotland.
Annika is based on the hugely successful Radio 4 drama and follows the sharp, witty and enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed (Walker), as she heads up a new specialist Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) with DS Michael McAndrews (Sives), DC Blair Ferguson (Leung) and DS Tyrone Clarke (Roach). This specialist unit is tasked with investigating the unexplained, sometimes brutal, and seemingly unfathomable murders that wash up in the waterways of Scotland. Throughout the series, Annika makes the audience her confidante by breaking the fourth wall and sharing her wry observations on the case and her life, as she manages her brilliant yet unconventional team, and her equally brilliant yet complex teenage daughter.
The series is produced by Black Camel Pictures and executive producers are Arabella Page Croft and Kieran Parker, with funding support from The National Lottery through Screen Scotland. Directing the six-part series are Philip John (The Good Karma Hospital, Downton Abbey) and Fiona Walton (London Kills, Waterloo Road). The series also welcomes a writer’s room with lead writer, Nick Walker and emerging talents, Frances Poet (River City) and Lucia Haynes (Casualty, BBC Radio 4’s This Thing of Darkness).
Annika is the fourth UKTV Original for Alibi and joins a stellar line up of upcoming dramas, including The Diplomat, from World Productions, and second series of Traces, from Red Production Company, and We Hunt Together, produced by BBC Studios.
Background
Alibi is the only TV channel dedicated to crime drama, investigating the best selection from the genre and premiering hit series from around the world such as Harrow, Evil, Briarpatch and Tommy. Alibi stepped into UKTV Original crime drama series with guaranteed thrills, twists and turns including hit series Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston and We Hunt Together starring Eve Myles and Babou Ceesay. Now in its 14th series, Murdoch Mysteries has found a safe space on the channel while newcomers Hudson and Rex have become hugely popular additions. British crime dramas including Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Silent Witness give the viewers another chance to catch their favourite shows.
Sky 132/826, Virgin 126/200, BT 312/382, TalkTalk 312, TV Player
On demand on Sky, Virgin, BT and TalkTalk
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 25 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
Black Camel Pictures is a leading Scottish television, film and content creation company. The company are currently in production with Nick Walker’s 6 x 60’ drama series Annika for UKTV’s Alibi and WGBH / PBS. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is in production for Sky Kids, adapted from the best-selling book series by Liz Pichon. The first 10 episodes are streaming now on Sky Kids.
Feature films awaiting release are operatic rom com Falling for Figaro starring Joanna Lumley and Hugh Skinner and inter-rail comedy Off the Rails starring Judi Dench, Kelly Preston and Sally Phillips. Psychological thriller Repression with Peter Mullan and Thekla Reuten is available on Amazon Prime now. Other credits include: UK hit musical Sunshine on Leith with Jane Horrocks and Peter Mullan, psychological thriller Legacy with Idris Elba, BBC drama Castles in the Sky with Eddie Izzard and the action horror franchise Outpost 1, 2 & 3. Find out more at www.blackcamel.co.uk.
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. Sitting within Creative Scotland, it is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success. With funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.