ITV has announced a new six-part series starring Ashley Walters and Andrea Riseborough
ITV has announced a new space drama about a woman who vanishes during a lunar expedition.
The six-episode thriller First Woman – which is being filmed in Belfast – features Adolescence actor Ashley Walters. He plays Ben Reith, who awakens one morning to discover that his wife Claire (Andrea Riseborough) has disappeared, reports the Mirror.
This marks the beginning of an international media story “because Claire is an astronaut crewing the UK’s first moonbase and she’s disappeared into the long lunar night”, according to a synopsis from the broadcaster.
It adds: “Claire is the first woman to set foot on the moon. A biologist taking part in a groundbreaking research project, her disappearance throws suspicion on her fellow astronauts and China’s rival base.
“With hundreds of thousands of miles between them, can Ben uncover the truth behind his wife’s disappearance?”
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As the narrative shifts between Mission Control in the UK and the moon’s surface, this becomes a countdown “like no other”, with Ben hoping to be reunited with Claire while the remaining crew members face mounting pressure.
Ashley, who portrayed Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in Adolescence, commented: “What an honour to be a part of such a bold and propulsive drama with a team of people that I have dreamt of working with. I always want to be a part of projects that make us converse and think outside the box. This one does just that.”
Co-star Andrea remarked: “As a kid, I dreamed, perhaps more than anything, of space. Of emptiness and stars, and the vastness of all that those ‘grounded’ reflected on in verse.”
“This will be endlessly compelling – I hope – for all who want to journey with us,” she continued. “I cannot wait.”
First Woman will be jointly produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, Alcon Television Group and ZDF Germany.
ITV’s director of drama Polly Hill stated: “I wanted ITV to make this the moment I read it. The team that has come on board on and off screen is incredible, and a testament to the wonderful and original scripts.” She noted that audiences would be transported on “an incredible journey”.
Creator Lydia Yeoman commented: “Set in the exciting (and as-yet-unexplored) world of private space travel, First Woman is a thriller unlike anything else we’ve seen.
“This is the story of a marriage put through the ultimate test. It’s rare that you get given the opportunity to tell a story with such ambition and scope, and we’re eternally grateful to Polly at ITV and Alcon for allowing us to do that.”
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