Sky has set a June premiere date for ‘The Midwich Cuckoos‘, a dark modern-day reimagining of John Wyndham’s classic science fiction novel, adapted by ‘The Night Manager’ and ‘Hanna’ writer David Farr, starring Keeley Hawes & Max Beesley.
Midwich, a small English commuter town, is liberal and aspirational, populated by nuclear families and affluent high streets. A place where nothing much happens – and for a very good reason. That is until the twilight hours of a summer’s day when a sleepy corner of Midwich is plunged into panic. People pass out on their feet without warning, without reason. Anyone who tries to enter meets the same fate. And nobody can understand why. When the mysterious blackout is lifted, life for those affected returns to apparent normality – except every woman of child-bearing age inside the zone has suddenly and inexplicably fallen pregnant.
As news spreads and tensions simmer, it is up to gifted psychotherapist Dr Susannah Zellaby (Keeley Hawes) to help support those affected through the emotional wilderness. Susannah’s own daughter, Cassie (Synnøve Karlsen – ‘Last Night In Soho’, ‘Clique’), has fallen pregnant and harbours deep concerns about who, or what, is behind this phenomenon.
Local officer DCI Paul Kirby (Max Beesley) is tasked with maintaining order but unbeknownst to them all, a terrifying force is building in the comfortable streets of Midwich. These children – potential parasites – flourish under the very love and care that their families give them. Who are these children? And what do they want?
Alongside Hawes, Beesley, Karlsen, the series also stars Aisling Loftus (‘A Discovery of Witches’), Ukweli Roach (‘Blindspot’), Lara Rossi (‘Robin Hood’), Lewis Reeves (‘I May Destroy You’), Rebekah Staton (‘Raised by Wolves’) and Anneika Rose (‘Line of Duty’).
The Midwich Cuckoos’ was commissioned for Sky by Zai Bennett, Sky UK’s Managing Director of Content. Manpreet Dosanjh is the Commissioning Editor for Sky Studios. The series is written by David Farr, Sasha Hails, Namsi Khan and Laura Lomas. Alice Troughton (‘Baghdad Central’, ‘Cucumber’, ‘A Discovery of Witches’) is the lead director, with Jennifer Perrott (‘Gentleman Jack’, ‘Doctor Who’) serving as director. The series is produced by Route 24 and Snowed-In Productions in association with Sky Studios. The executive producers are Marc Samuelson and Robert Cheek for Route 24 and Ruth Kenley-Letts and Neil Blair for Snowed-In Productions. Series producer is Eliza Mellor (‘Poldark’, ‘Behind Her Eyes’).
‘The Midwich Cuckoos‘ will premiere Thursday, 2nd June 2022 on Sky Max and streaming service NOW.
