Emily Watson and Denise Gough lead ITV’s gripping psychological thriller Too Close as filming begins

Emily Watson and Denise Gough lead ITV’s gripping psychological thriller Too Close as filming begins 

ITV and Snowed-In Productions today announce award-winning actresses Emily Watson and Denise Gough have commenced filming Too Close a psychological mini-series written by author and actress Clara Salaman.

Acclaimed actress Thalissa Teixeira, whose recent credits include the Sky comedy drama Two Weeks to Live and the BBC Two love story Trigonometry, also joins the cast as filming begins in London.  

Too Close focuses on the compelling and dangerous relationship between forensic psychiatrist Dr Emma Robertson (Emily Watson) who is assigned to work with Connie Mortensen (Denise Gough) a woman accused of a heinous crime but who claims she can’t remember a thing.

Dr Robertson is not easily shocked. She’s worked with her fair share of high security patients. However, when she’s sent to assess Connie for trial the two women become dangerously close.

Connie has a searing insight into Emma’s deepest insecurities and starts to brutally exploit them. Their sessions become a complex psychological game with confusing undercurrents.

Emma tries to understand Connie and her complicated relationship with her beautiful best friend, Ness Jones (Thalissa Teixeira), which seems to have made her snap. But as Emma tries to uncover the truth and learn what triggered Connie’s despicable behaviour, it seems that her attempts to see justice done may destroy her instead.

Filmed on location in London, Emily, Denise and Thalissa will be joined by James Sives, Risteárd Cooper, Chizzy Akudolu, Karl Johnson, Eileen Davies, Nina Wadia and Paul Chahidi.

Emily Watson is known for her work in the Sky drama Chernobyl, BBC1’s Apple Tree Yard and the BAFTA winning drama Appropriate Adult for ITV. Denise Gough is notable for her work in television, film and theatre and is a two-time Olivier Award winner for her roles in People, Places and Things (2016) and Angels in America (2018).

Founded in 2014, Snowed-In Productions is a sister company of Brontë Film and Television. With a remit to develop and produce beautifully crafted and emotionally compelling stories that will endure, Snowed-In’s Chief Executive and Head of Drama, Ruth Kenley-Letts (The Casual Vacancy, Mrs. Wilson, Strike) will executive produce the mini-series alongside Kate Crowe (Taboo, A Christmas Carol), Neil Blair (Strike, Fantastic Beasts, Mrs. Wilson), author Clara Salaman, Emily Watson (The Third Day, Chernobyl, Apple Tree Yard) and Jenny van der Lande (London Spy, Strike, Mrs Wilson). Leading independent distributor All3Media International will be responsible for overseas sales of the drama.

Too Close is a three-part drama based on the novel of the same title published under the pseudonym Natalie Daniels. The series will be story produced by Jenny van der Lande and produced by Letitia Knight (Flesh and Blood, Dark Heart, Vera).

Snowed-In Productions Chief Executive Ruth Kenley-Letts commented:

“I am absolutely thrilled that we’re finally shooting Too Close.  We’ve assembled such a talented cast and crew for Clara Salaman’s brilliantly compelling and gripping adaption of her novel and we’re so excited to be working with Polly Hill at ITV.  We can’t wait to get started.”   

Too Close has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama Polly Hill.

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Note to Editors:

Snowed-In Productions for TOO CLOSE are adhering to the TV and film production industry-wide guidelines published in May and the guidance developed by all UK broadcasters, the Association of Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Service (COBA) and Pact covering how pairs and small groups of actors can interact closer than two metres safely on set. This guidance is also complementary to the British Film Commission guidelines on managing the risks with film and high-end TV drama production.

The new health and safety measures implemented to ensure filming on high-end dramas can resume include regular coronavirus testing of cast and crew and temperature checking before filming. Social distancing will be adhered to by crew members, and the actors and production teams will observe closed cohort guidelines which limits contact with other individuals whilst filming. COVID Supervisors will also be employed on set to ensure health and safety protocols are adhered to.

Camera and sound equipment will be fully sanitised at the end of each filming day and make-up will be applied by technicians wearing full PPE. Hand sanitisation facilities have also been installed for frequent hand washing and crews will wear masks throughout filming.

About Snowed-In Productions

Snowed-In Productions was founded in 2014 to work alongside Brontë Film and Television (The Casual Vacancy, the Strike series) on non J.K. Rowling projects.

Snowed-In develops and produces innovative, original and ambitious television drama. We tell stories in all genres, stories that put the human condition at their centre and always with heart.  We are working with writers at the top of their game as well as emerging voices, all of whom share our passion for delivering high quality and compelling drama.​

Coupled with exceptional producing expertise, we are building a diverse development slate, which will appeal to audiences at home and internationally.  

The production company’s first production Mrs. Wilson, based on the true story of spy novelist Alexander Wilson and his wives, was broadcast in 2018 on BBC One. The three-part drama was exceptionally well received with positive critical reviews and a consolidated audience of around 9 million in the UK.  The show also received four BAFTA nominations including Best Mini Series, and Best Actress for Ruth Wilson – who played her own grandmother.

The latest series of Strike is currently airing on BBC One.