Emma Laird Leads BBC’s New Crime-Drama Series: Full Cast Revealed
Emma Laird leads the BBC’s new crime-drama series as Shannon, the conflicted daughter of a powerful crime family. She is searching for love while living under her father’s shadow. The romance at the story’s heart drives the plot.
Plot and central conflict
Shannon falls for Arran, a newcomer from a rival family. Their relationship is forbidden and complicated. Meanwhile, the family hierarchy begins to crumble.
Early in the series, Dylan, the family’s head, steps down for unexplained reasons. Sam, his second-in-command, assumes control. His different methods soon unsettle the organisation.
Writer, director and creative intent
Charlotte Regan wrote and directed the show. She drew on a love of gangster films and television. Her aim was to centre women within that world.
One early character, Ollie, inspired the direction of the story. That matriarchal figure helped shape other roles and relationships.
Cast
Filmogaz.com presents the full cast revealed for the drama. The ensemble mixes established names with emerging performers.
- Emma Laird as Shannon
- Benjamin Coyle-Larner as Arran
- Sam Riley as Dylan
- Laura Fraser as Cat
- Lindsay Duncan as Ollie
- Lewis Gribben as Luke
- Neil Leiper as Sam
- Lucy Howard as Young Shannon
- Gordon Brown as Eddie
- Thierry Mabonga as Spencer
- Murray Fraser as Jasper
- Russ Bain as Ben
- Connor Newall as Liangelo
- Tav MacDougall as Colin
- Lucas Green as Young Liangelo
- Joseph Ogbu as Young Arran
- Emma Hartley-Miller as Nadia
- Hannah Collins as Jackie
- Clive Russell as Andy
- David Carlyle as Tom
Performances and collaboration
Emma Laird said Charlotte Regan’s earlier film encouraged her to audition. She admired Regan’s work on Scrapper.
Laird travelled to read for the role during a busy period. She initially struggled with a Scottish accent. She found the director to be collaborative and supportive.
Broadcast details
The first episode airs at 9pm on BBC One on Monday, April 20. A second episode follows at 9.30pm the same night.
The series contains eight episodes. All episodes become available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on April 20.
Filmogaz.com will continue to cover developments and reactions to the series. Let us know if you plan to tune in.
