Amazon Orders UK Original Supernatural Thriller Series ‘The Rig’ For Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video has ordered a new, UK produced, six-part original supernatural thriller ‘The Rig‘, from Wild Mercury Productions (part of Banijay UK), created by new writer David Macpherson, directed by John Strickland (‘Line of Duty’, ‘Bodyguard’) the streaming service has announced.
‘The Rig’ follows the crew of the Kishorn Bravo oil rig, stationed off the Scottish coast in the dangerous waters of the North Sea. When the crew are due to return to the mainland, a mysterious and all-enveloping fog rolls through and they find themselves cut off from all communication with the shore and the outside world. As they endeavour to discover what’s driving this force, bonds are broken, allegiances formed and generational fault lines exposed. The crew of the Bravo will be driven to the limits of both their loyalties and their endurance, into a confrontation with forces beyond their imagination.
‘The Rig’ will be the first Amazon Original Series filmed exclusively in Scotland, on an oil rig and at FirstStage Studios, the new Scottish film and TV studio space in Edinburgh. Production will start on the series next year.
“The Rig is a brilliant story, expertly told, in the most dramatic of settings,” commented Georgia Brown, Director of European Amazon Originals for Prime Video. “It asks searching questions about nature and the environment, about what it takes to survive and to be human, which feels very pertinent to the world we are living in now. We’re delighted to add this to our growing roster of UK made Amazon Original shows, all available to stream at no extra cost for Prime members around the world.”
The six-part series will be produced by Wild Mercury Productions. The director is John Strickland (‘Line of Duty’, ‘Bodyguard’), the executive producers are Derek Wax (‘Humans’, ‘Capital’, ‘Troy’, ‘Fall of a City’) and John Strickland, the producer is Suzanne Reid (‘Trust Me’, ‘Curfew’) and the casting director is Kelly Valentine-Hendry (‘Broadchurch’, ‘Fleabag’).
“The Rig is a character-driven, epic thriller, full of heart-grabbing action and bold, original ideas, and we are delighted to be working with Amazon Prime Video in bringing it to life,” adds Derek Wax, Managing Director of Wild Mercury. “David Macpherson captures life on a North Sea oil rig with extraordinary authenticity and it’s been exciting to work with him, director John Strickland and our creative team in realising the scale and vision of this world.”
The series writer is exciting new talent David Macpherson with his first-time commission. Joining the writing team are Meg Salter and Matthew Jacobs Morgan. Screen Scotland supported ‘The Rig’ to connect with a range of talent and facilities across the country, making the case for Scotland to be the home for this production.
‘The Rig‘ is due to begin filming in Scotland in 2021. Further details including cast and launch date will be announced in due course.
