Sky1 is broadening their 2018 drama slate. The satcaster has renewed their Stan Lee drama series Lucky Man, starring James Nesbitt, for a third season; and ordered Bulletproof, a new police drama starring Noel Clarke and Ashley Walter. The announcements come ahead of Sky1 Director Adam MacDonald’s Meet The Controller session at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.
“Stan Lee’s Lucky Man and Bulletproof are exactly the kind of bold drama that Sky1 viewers love. We’re in for quite the ride in this next chapter of Lucky Man and like the show’s million-strong fan base, I can’t wait to see the return of James Nesbitt as Detective Inspector Clayton”, MacDonald said. “With Bulletproof we have an ambitious story and in Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters, we have two fantastic actors to bring our police duo, Bishop and Pike, to life. Both shows are part of a new line up of shows on Sky1 next year that will keep everyone entertained.”
The renewal for Stan Lee’s Lucky Man comes after the first two seasons attracted audiences of over one million viewers. The series is based on an idea from Stan Lee and POW! Entertainment, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man is produced by independent production comapny Carnival Films. NBCUniversal International Distribution handles global sales. Richard Fell and Gareth Neame will executive produce for Carnival Films. The third season was commissioned by Adam MacDonald, Sky’s Head of Drama Anne Mensah and Sky’s Drama Commissioning Editor Cameron Roach.
In season three, DI Harry Clayton (Nesbitt) is in Hong Kong, looking for answers about his ‘lucky’ charm where he comes up against some nasty underworld characters who have their eyes on more than just his bracelet. In addition to Nesbitt, returning cast members include Amara Karan as DS Suri Chohan, Sienna Guillory as Eve and Stephen Hagan as Rich Clayton. Production on the new season is set to get underway next month for a 2018 premiere.
“Stan Lee’s Lucky Man is such an exciting series to make and the scripts for this season are brilliant. Harry Clayton’s luck is running out which throws up some interesting storylines”, said James Nesbitt. “And also takes him, and me, to Hong Kong – the perfect setting for Stan Lee mayhem!”
Bulletproof follows police duo Bishop (Noel Clarke) and Pike (Ashley Walters) – two best mates, bonded by the same moral code despite their very obvious differences. Growing up Bishop and Pike had very different lives. Pike’s dad was the first black police commissioner and he grew up always trying to live up to his expectations, while Bishop grew up looking for a father figure as he was passed around foster homes, moving from school to school. Their pasts have shaped their different approaches to life, and yet they have a love and respect for each other that seems unbreakable. Their friendship is yet to be properly tested until now.
The drama series was created by Noel Clarke, Ashley Walters and Nick Love and is set up at Vertigo Films – the same production company that is behind Sky1’s Britannia – and Wolf Hall indie Company Pictures. It was commissioned by Sky1 Director Adam MacDonald, Sky’s Head of Drama Anne Mensah and Sky’s drama Commissioning Editor Cameron Roach. Jon Finn is the series producer, while Nick Love will direct. The executive producers are Nick Love, Allan Niblo, Michele Buck and Judy Counihan will executive produce. Sky Vision will handle global sales.
“I’m ecstatic that the show Ashley, myself and Nick created is here”, Noel Clarke said. “We’ve worked many years in the industry, but never all together. We’ve grown and evolved as artists and this will be a series that fans and non-fans alike will be drawn to. Enjoy the ride!”
“I am really excited to be working with Noel and Nick on this project”, commented Ashley Walters. “I have been inspired by both of them for years and collaborating with them on this will produce something amazing. Years in the making but finally here !!! #alwayswinning”
While writer, director and executive producer Nick Love added: “I am absolutely thrilled to be making my first TV series for Sky 1 which is going to be full of action, heart and characters you will fall in love with. I am raring to go!”
