ITV commissions six part mystery thriller, After the Flood

ITV commissions six part mystery thriller, After the Flood.

Starring Sophie Rundle, Philip Glenister, Lorraine Ashbourne, Nicholas Gleaves, Jonas Armstrong, Matt Stokoe, Jacqueline Boatswain and Anita Adam Gabay.

Produced by Nicola Shindler’s Quay Street Productions and written by acclaimed screenwriter Mick Ford

**With BritBox International as co-production partners**

ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill has commissioned a six-part mystery drama, After the Flood, produced by multi award winning Manchester based executive producer Nicola Shindler and her team at Quay Street Productions in association with ITV Studios.

The compelling drama is written by BAFTA nominated writer and actor Mick Ford who is known for his work on Stay Close, Living the Dream and The Stranger. After the Flood will premiere on ITV1 and ITVX.

BritBox International are co-production partners for the drama. 

After the Flood is a mystery thriller set in a town hit by a devastating flood. When an unidentified man is found dead in a lift in an underground car park police assume he became trapped as the waters rose, and as the investigation unfolds PC Joanna Marshall, played by Sophie Rundle, becomes obsessed with discovering what happened to him.

How did he get in the lift and why does no one know who he is?

The mystery unfolds across the series while we also see the real impact of climate change on the lives of residents in this small town. The floods threaten to expose secrets, and fortunes and reputations are at stake. But how far will people go to protect themselves?

Sophie Rundle (Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders) plays police officer Joanna Marshall, Philip Glenister (Belgravia, Life on Mars) takes on the role of property developer Jack Radcliffe and Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Bridgerton, I Hate Susie) is confirmed to play Jo’s mother, Molly. 

Nicholas Gleaves (The Crown, The Rising, Bodyguard) plays Sergeant Phil Mackie, Jo’s boss and surrogate father figure, and Matt Stokoe (Cursed, Jamestown) is on board to play Jo’s husband, Pat. 

Jonas Armstrong (The Bay, Floodlights) takes on the role of Lee, a seemingly heroic local man, and Jacqueline Boatswain (Carnival Row, Anansi Boys) is cast as local politician Sarah Mackie. 

Anita Adam Gabay (Royal Bastards: Rise of the Tudors, Baptiste) who plays Tasha Eden also stars. 

Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers said: 

“When Mick Ford brought the kernel of the idea of After the Flood to us, we were immediately drawn in. Not just by the catastrophic repercussions of a deadly environmental disaster in a town that could very well be our own, but also the intricacies and deception at the heart of the characters’ stories. We have a brilliant combination of writing, directing and acting talent on board to bring this series to life and we’re looking forward to working with our partners at ITV and BritBox International as we begin filming.” 

ITV’s Drama commissioner Huw Kennair Jones will oversee production of After the Flood from the company’s perspective. 

Commented Huw Kennair Jones:

“Mick has created a hugely compelling thriller as a small town is hit by a flood that proves to be life changing for its residents in many ways. The brilliant combination of Mick's scripts and Nicola and the team at Quay Street means After the Flood is going to deliver a stunning visual treat and a great story.” 

Mick Ford, writer, comments: 

“I am always excited to announce a new project but After the Flood in particular tops all of the others due to its ambition and the characters. The cast are fantastic, and I am thrilled with how perfect each cast member is for their role. ITV have been brilliant throughout the writing process allowing us the time to craft the scripts with care which is rare and brilliant. Plus working with Quay Street Productions for Nicola and Richard is so special – because they and their teams are so special, and I feel truly honoured. It is going to be great seeing everyone getting into the story and seeing it come to life – and then there is the flood!” 

Reemah Sakaan, CEO BritBox International said: 

“After the Flood is a gripping thriller featuring a fantastic cast, led by Sophie Rundle as our determined investigator, getting stuck into a complex crime in her community, with environmental catastrophe as a backdrop. We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with ITV and Nicola’s team at Quay Street on this production. The series joins our world class slate of quality British originals and its themes are sure to resonate with fans around the world.” 

Sophie Rundle comments: 

“I am really thrilled to be joining After the Flood. Jo is a brilliantly bold, compelling protagonist. The story is sharp, intriguing and articulate about the climate crisis and the impact on the communities it is directly affecting. There are so many people I’m really looking forward to working with on this project, I can’t wait to get started.”

After the Flood is a 6 x 60mins Quay Street Productions drama commissioned by Polly Hill for ITV. Juliet Charlesworth (Stay Close, Brassic) is producer and Azhur Saleem (Anansi Boys, Doctor Who) will direct and executive produce. 

Executive producers for Quay Street Productions are Nicola Shindler (Nolly, It’s A Sin) and Richard Fee (Stay Close, The Stranger). Huw Kennair-Jones for ITV and Reemah Sakaan and Stephen Nye for BritBox International. Mick Ford is the creator, writer and executive producer. International distribution is handled by ITV Studios. The series will air on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK, and on BritBox in the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and across Nordic markets.

Filming will take place in and around Manchester, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire and Teesside during February 2023.

Formed in January 2021, Quay Street Productions marks a new chapter in the career of BAFTA-award winning producer Nicola Shindler. Sitting within ITV Studios, the label focuses on producing premium drama for the UK and international market, working with the best new and critically acclaimed writers in the industry to create modern, innovative, and entertaining programming. Quay Street Productions’ first series, Russell T Davies’ drama Nolly, starring Helena Bonham Carter recently launched on ITVX, and they are in production on Significant Other starring Katherine Parkinson and Youssef Kerkour, also for ITVX.