The BBC has today shared the first stills from “Nightsleeper”, a forthcoming real-time suspense thriller written by BAFTA award-winning writer Nick Leather (Murdered For Being Different) from Fremantle’s Euston Films, coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in early 2024.
The new series chronicles the hacking of a Glasgow to London sleeper train and the desperate efforts of a government agency to intervene in the rapidly escalating events on board. Two strangers – one on the locomotive and the other off – attempt to collaborate to rescue the people in the diverse group of passengers as the Heart of Britain’s overnight service rushes towards what may be the train’s literal end point.
Alexandra Roach (“The Light in the Hall”, “Bodies”) plays Abby Aysgarth, the Acting Technical Director at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, who’s finally about to take a well-earned holiday when she receives a phone call that will change everything – the UK railway network is under attack. Joe Cole (“Gangs of London”, “Peaky Blinders”) plays Joe Roag, an off-duty cop onboard and hoping for a quiet night. However, over the next six rollercoaster hours, Joe’s about to get anything but, as he and Abby battle both their own distrust and the unpredictable behaviour of the person or persons now in control, desperate to try and stop the Heart of Britain from reaching the end of the line, in more ways than one…
The series also stars Alex Ferns (“The Devil’s Hour”), Sharon Small (“The Bay”), James Cosmo (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), David Threlfall (“Shameless”), Daniel Cahill (“The Control Room”), Lois Chimimba (“Vigil”), Gabriel Howell (“The Fence”), Katie Leung (Harry Potter), Leah MacRae (“Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything”), Ruth Madeley (“Years and Years”), Adam Mitchell (Mother’s Day), Pamela Nomvete (“Andor”), Scott Reid (“Maxine”), Sharon Rooney (Barbie) and Parth Thakerar (“Gangs of London”).
Commenting on the show, writer Leather said: “It’s a joy to be able to write for this cast of some of the finest acting talent in the UK today – our train is a real rollercoaster, a white-knuckle trip through the heart of Britain, and I’m delighted to have them join us for the ride.”
Kate Harwood, Managing Director, Euston Films, said: “We are so excited to be carrying this brilliant, eclectic and precious cast on our train matched by tremendous talent in our security centre in London.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “I’m so pleased that Joe, Alexandra and this exceptional ensemble cast have all come aboard Nightsleeper as it speeds towards BBC One and iPlayer. Nick Leather has created an adrenaline-fuelled thriller like no other and I can’t wait to see it brought to the screen.”
“Nightsleeper” is a 6×60 minute series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer produced by Euston Films (“Wreck”, “The Sister”, “Dublin Murders”), a Fremantle label. The series is directed by Jamie Magnus Stone (“Doctor Who”, “Ten Pound Poms”) and John Hayes (“Dublin Murders”). Writers are Nick Leather with Laura Grace (Episode 4 and 5). Executive Producers are Kate Harwood for Euston Films with Nick Leather, Jamie Magnus Stone, and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC. Producer is Jonathan Curling (“The Sister”, “Baghdad Central”) and Co-Producer is Daisy Costello. Fremantle is handling global distribution.
