Launching on BBC iPlayer and YouTube in the run-up to Halloween Loch nam Madadh / Wolf Bay is a heart-pumping short-form horror series about a ferry journey that goes very badly wrong.
Created and written by Claire Aza-Selinger with Maureen Macleod as co-writer, both from the Western Isles, the 6 x 10’ instalments follow Angus (Andrew MacInnes, An t-Eilean) who is reluctantly returning to North Uist for his grandfather’s funeral. Hoping to slip back unnoticed, he instead finds himself stuck on a ferry with his ex-girlfriend, Màiri (Ellen Macdonald, Bannan), her fiancé Colin, (Alasdair Jordan in his screen debut), and her formidable mother, Margaret (Elspeth Turner, An-t Eilean). Just when Angus thinks things can’t get any worse, he makes a gruesome discovery in the cafeteria…
As the ship enters the treacherous waters of “Wolf Bay” Angus is forced to confront both his own past and the mysterious evil that prowls the decks. Will he be able to survive the night, save the passengers, and make peace with Màiri?
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Loch nam Madadh / Wolf Bay is the first ever Gaelic drama aimed squarely at 18-24 year-olds who consume content on their devices. The bite-sized ten-minute episodes move at a heart-pumping pace, delivering smart jump scares, breathless cliffhangers, deadpan humour, and a love story that promises to touch the coldest heart.
Natalie Humphreys, executive producer for Glasgow’s Storyboard Studios said: “Back when we first started developing this, we knew there was something really special and different about the material. Then we were lucky to have the most brilliant cast and crew join. The whole team on and off screen has put heart and soul into it and we’re excited to share it with audiences.”
Bill Macleod, commissioning editor for MG ALBA cadded: “This is one of the wittiest and most distinctive ideas to have ever come my way – a whip-smart series that combines sly satire and open-hearted charm. This is a horror series you’ll want to wolf down!”
Gavin Smith, commissioning editor for BBC Scotland said: “We’re delighted to have joined forces with BBC ALBA to go on this wild wolf ride aboard a stricken ferry. Claire and Maureen have written a sensational series of short form episodes that are frightening and funny in equal measure. Wolf Bay is part of BBC Scotland’s strategy to grow our digital first content and we’re sure audiences are up for a bit of horror.”
Loch nam Madadh/Wolf Bay is a Storyboard Studios production and is co-funded by MG ALBA, BBC Scotland and Screen Scotland. The director is Alasdair MacLean with Parker Dawes serving as shadow director. Lauren Lamarr is consultant executive producer, with Misha McCullagh as producer, Penny Davies and Kevin Walker as co-producers, and Keir Greatorex as editor. Bella Barber-Flemming is executive producer for Screen Scotland.
Loch nam Madadh / Wolf Bay drops on BBC iPlayer and the BBC ALBA YouTube channel on Friday 23 October.
