World Productions Scotland is making a new 6-part sci-fi thriller for the BBC.
Sutherland has been written and created by James Smythe and will star Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Fuze, Loki, The Girl Before), Stuart Martin (Army of Thieves, In Flight, Rebel Moon) and Iain De Caestecker (Roadkill, The Winter King, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D).
Set in the far north of Scotland, in the near future, Mirren (Mbatha-Raw) works at Paravel Space Hub as flight director for the UK’s first crewed mission to space.
Everything is going to plan when, just hours after launch, a series of unexplained events engulf Sutherland in mystery and risks destroying everything they’ve been striving for.
As a decades-old conspiracy begins to resurface, local detective Logan (Martin) is unexpectedly pulled back into Mirren’s orbit. When Logan’s investigation and Mirren’s mission threaten to unravel, the pair join forces to make an extraordinary discovery that will change their lives forever.
“Sutherland is at heart a love story, a story of loss, a story of discovery – and a story that speaks to our collective desire to understand more about both what’s far above us, and what’s right at our feet,” said Smythe.
“To be making a show for the BBC is a lifelong dream. To be doing it with the amazing team at World Productions, with this unfathomably good cast and our wonderful directors, is incredible to me. I can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve come up with…”
Jake Lushington, is the Executive Producer for World Productions (Vigil), which is part of ITV Studios:
“World Productions are delighted to be bringing James’ resonant and provocative story of love, loss and life in Space and the far north of Scotland to the BBC. At a time when many question the expense and need for space travel, and with so many problems on our own planet, Sutherland asks the timely question: are the answers out there or have they been right here all along?”
The series was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland.
“Sutherland is a show like no other and we’re so excited to bring James Smythe’s thrilling vision of Space and the Scottish Highlands to BBC. We can’t wait for everyone to get to know Mirren, Logan & Callum, played by the brilliant Gugu, Stuart and Iain, as their story leads them in unexpected directions that will captivate BBC viewers,” added Gaynor Holmes, Commissioning Editor for the BBC.
Filming on the series will take place in Scotland later this year.
