Keeley Hawes confirmed to lead cast of major new BBC One drama Crossfire

Filming has begun on Crossfire, a major new three-part BBC One and TVE drama starring Keeley Hawes (Finding Alice, It’s A Sin, Bodyguard) from Dancing Ledge Productions, the makers of the hugely popular The Salisbury Poisonings.

Created and written by Louise Doughty (author of Apple Tree Yard), her first original series for television, Crossfire is set in a luxurious resort in the Canary Islands. It is being made in co-production with Spanish free-to-air broadcaster TVE, in a deal struck by Fremantle, and in association with Buddy Club Productions.

Sunbathing on her hotel room balcony while on a dream holiday with her family and friends, Jo’s (Keeley Hawes) world is turned upside down when shots ring out across the complex. Gunmen, out for revenge, have, in an instant, turned a slice of paradise into a terrifying heart-breaking hell.

A story of survival and resilience, Crossfire is an edge-of-your-seat nail-biting thriller yet also emotional, intimate and relatable. With the unsuspecting holidaymakers and hotel staff forced to make monumental split-second life or death decisions, the consequences will linger long after the final shots are fired.

Crossfire will also star Josette Simon (Small Axe, Riviera), Anneika Rose (Deadwater Fell, Line of Duty), Lee Ingleby (The A Word, The Serpent Queen, Criminal UK), Daniel Ryan (The Bay, Home Fires), Vikash Bhai (The Stranger, Limbo), Hugo Silva (Nasdrovia, The Cook of Castamar), Alba Brunet (Operation Mincemeat, Paraiso, The Mallorca Files), Shalisha James-Davis (Alex Rider, I May Destroy You) and Ariyon Bakare (His Dark Materials, Good Omens).

It is directed by Tessa Hoffe (Kin, Wayne, Majority), and produced by Alex Mercer (Inside Man, Doctor Who).

Keeley Hawes says: “I’m so excited to be embarking on this brilliantly compelling and propulsive drama for the BBC, especially as it’s the third production for Buddy Club. Filming has already begun and we’re delighted to be collaborating with the team at Dancing Ledge Productions and Louise Doughty on her first original production for television.”

Louise Doughty says: “This is a drama about a group of ordinary people caught up in an extraordinary event - a gun attack on the hotel where they are staying. In extremity, each character is faced with a set of dilemmas: and at the heart of it is Jo, who booked the holiday and unknowingly put her family and friends - and herself - at risk. I'm fascinated by the idea of how so-called ordinary people respond to intense pressure and I couldn't be more excited to have written this drama for Dancing Ledge Productions and the BBC and to have the amazing Keeley Hawes in the star role.”

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama says: “Louise’s scripts crackle with adrenalin, intrigue and secrets kept among a long-standing group of friends. But amidst the action and emotion, Crossfire explores the consequences of the secrets we keep, the risks we take and the lies we tell to conceal them. This is a startling original piece of writing. We are thrilled to be working again with Louise and Dancing Ledge Productions, and to be welcoming back the unmissable Keeley Hawes to BBC One.”

Chris Carey, Executive Producer for Dancing Ledge Productions, says: “We’re so thrilled to be working with Louise Doughty. Already one of the most significant novelists of her generation it’s a real honour for us to produce her first original screenplay for the BBC. Crossfire demonstrates her considerable storytelling skills combining visceral edge-of-your-seat action with truthful and relatable characters. That her scripts have attracted the attention of the fabulous Keeley Hawes and the rest of our brilliant cast, as well our incredible director Tessa Hoffe, is testament to that quality.”

Rebecca Dundon, VP Scripted Fremantle adds: “From the first moment I read the scripts for Crossfire I was completely entranced. Louise has masterminded an action packed narrative laced with rich characters, thrilling hold your breath moments, lots of heart and huge stakes and I have no doubt the series will captivate audiences across the world with its surprising and intriguing events. With a phenomenal cast, led by the renowned Keeley Hawes, we are so proud to be working with Dancing Ledge, the BBC and TVE on bringing this exciting series to screens around the world next year.”

Commissioned by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, and Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, Crossfire is a 3x60’ drama made by Dancing Ledge Productions, in association with Buddy Club Productions for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the participation of RTVE, Spain. Executive Producers are Laurence Bowen and Chris Carey for Dancing Ledge Productions, Lucy Richer for the BBC, Louise Doughty and Keeley Hawes. Dancing Ledge Productions works internationally with Fremantle, which has a minority stake in the company, with Fremantle handling global distribution for the drama series. Crossfire is produced with the participation of RTVE, Spain, following a co-production deal struck by Al De Azpiazu, Senior Vice President Distribution, French Speaking Europe, Italy, Spain & Portugal at Fremantle.

CK