EXCLUSIVE: Lupine creator George Kay is writing a scary cat-and-mouse thriller for ITV starring David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) and Eve Myles (Keep the faith).
The prolific British scribe is behind Disappeared. Set against the backdrop of a prestigious private school, an eerie forest and the tranquil expanse of Bristol, Disappeared follows local manager Michael Polly (Morrissey), who becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife Sarah. An honest member of the community, Michael is inscrutable and likes order and precision in his professional life, but then he meets plucky detective Annie Cassidy (Myles) and a compulsive game of cat and mouse begins as she tears off her veneer in search of the truth.
The series is inspired by the career and work of former Gloucestershire Police Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay and ITV crime correspondent Robert Murphy, who reported on some of the biggest and most complex cases in the West of England. It is partly inspired by their book “To Hunt A KIller” and both Mackay and Murphy are consultants.
Richard Laxton (Ms. Wilson) directs and Disappeared also stars Jennifer Macbeth, Arthur Hughes, Nicholas Nunn, Elliot Cowan, Billy Barrett, Rupert Evans, Jodie McNee, Oscar Batterham and Clare Higgins.
Morrissey has plenty of experience in scary thrillers recently, having played Ian St Clair in two seasons of James Graham’s BBC drama. Sherwood. Disappeared sees him reunite with Kay, with whom he worked on ITV’s BAFTA-nominated series The Long Shadow. Kay is the creator of Netflix Smash Lupine and the success of Apple TV with Idris Elba Divert, which is set to launch season 2. He is also creating the HBO-Sky legal thriller War with Dominic West and Sienna Miller. His Observatory Pictures, supported by All3Media, directs Disappeared with new images.
“Having teamed up with ITV and New Pictures for a true crime drama The long shadowI’m excited to work with them again to create a new crime drama,” said Kay. “In a story about privilege and prejudice, the truth is incredibly close. Or at least that’s what Annie thinks.
Polly Hill, ITV’s head of drama, added: “The incredible team on and off screen create a story that is beautifully gripping and one that I’m sure will keep audiences guessing.”
Disappeared is produced by Mark Hedges (Hanna, the Ascension) and executive producers are Kay, Willow Grylls (Of the missing) and Matt Sandford (The long shadow). The series is a co-production of New Pictures and Observatory Pictures for ITV in association with All3Media International as international distributor.
