EXCLUSIVE: ITV’s upcoming three-part drama The Guilty has added a number of guest stars. Nicola Sian (Doctor Who), Rick Bacon (Da Vinci’s Demons), Glen Wallace (Hollyoaks), Natascha Slasten, Mark Rawlings (Big Bad World), Madlen Meyer and Cleo Sylvestre (Silent Witness) have all landed roles of the drama serial. Penned by Debbie O’Malley, The Guilty is set in both 2008 and the present day and follows DC Maggie Brand who investigates the disappearance of a little boy named Callum Reid. In 2008, at a neighbourhood barbecue Claire Reid and Daniel Reid relax amongst their friends and neighbours as little Callum plays contentedly with the other children. The evening sours, however, when after an alcohol fuelled evening tempers flare and a violent fight erupts at the barbecue. In the hours that follow Callum disappears and nothing is ever the same again. Five years later, the body of Callum is found buried mere yards from his front door. Now a DCI, Brand leads the new investigation and will leave no stone unturned, and going as far as risking her own happy family life with husband Jeb (Jamie Sives) to find out what happened to Callum. The three-part drama stars Tamsin Greig (Episodes), Katherine Kelly (Mr Selfridge), Darren Boyd (Spy) and Jamie Sives (Secret State). Hartswood Films is producing the serial, with Elaine Cameron serving as producer and Beryl Vertue serving as the executive producer. Ed Bazalgette is directing.
Lashana Lynch (Silent Witness) has joined that cast of BBC One’s upcoming two-part romantic drama The 7.39. Lynch joins previously announced cast members David Morrissey (The Walking Dead), Sheridan Smith (Mrs Biggs), Olivia Colman (Broadchurch) and Sean Maguire (Scott & Bailey). Penned by award-winning writer David Nicholls, the two-parter follows Sally and Carl, who begin talking after fighting for a seat on their morning commute and suddenly their daily train journey becomes a lot more interesting. Relatively happy in their home lives, they are, however, drawn to each other, and as their friendship grows to flirtation they refuse to admit – to each other or themselves – that a line might be crossed. The consequences of discovery will be life-changing, catastrophic perhaps, and yet they can’t help falling in love. The serial is being produced by NBCUniversal’s Carnival Films (the production company behind ITV1′s Downton Abbey) with Sally Woodward Gentle and Polly Hill serving as executive producers. John Alexander is attached to direct.
Sky1’s home-grown comedy series Stella is adding a new cast member. According to my sources, Clare Hingott (The Indian Doctor) has joined the series for its upcoming third season. Character details are being kept under wraps, but I’m told that it is a recurring role. Stella was co-created by, and stars, Ruth Jones as the titular character and revolves around her often troubled life in Pontyberry, South Wales. The down-to-earth family saga which gives an authentic slice of the working-class Welsh Valleys debuted as the second biggest UK comedy launch in multichannel history. Also starring in the comedy series is Craig Gallivan, Catrin Stewart, Rory Girvan, Justin Davies, Elizabeth Berrington, Owen Teale, Julian Lewis Jones, Karen Paullada, Steve Speirs, Kenny Doughty and Mark Lewis Jones. The series recently finished airing its second season and was picked up for a third season and a Christmas Special.
