BAFTA award-winning writer Jack Thorne, the man behind the outstanding ‘Adolescence’ and hard-hitting ‘Help’, is turning his talent to his first ever love story with ‘Falling‘, starring Keeley Hawes & Paapa Essiedu in the lead roles for Channel 4, directed by ‘It’s A Sin’s Peter Hoar.
Keeley Hawes (Scoop, Miss Austen) stars as Anna, a devoted nun, and Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror, The Lazarus Project) as David, a Catholic priest. Both are deeply committed to their work in the church and in their community. Neither are expected to fall in love. But when they do, both are forced to wrestle with what it means for them, their vows, and their relationship with God. Falling is a witty, moving, contemporary romantic drama that is as honest as it is full of heart.
I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Anna and so looking forward to working alongside the brilliant Paapa Essiedu to bring Jack Thorne’s beautiful scripts to life,” said Keeley.
Paapa adds “Falling is a story that has Jack Thorne’s singular talent of mining the sublime out of the ordinary running all the way through. I can’t wait to work with Keeley, Peter and the rest of the team to bring this world to life.”
Also joining the cast of Falling are Rakie Ayola (The Pact, Kaos), Jason Watkins (Coma, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies), Niamh Cusack (The Virtues, Heartbeat), Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey, The Chelsea Detective), David Dawson (My Policeman, The Last Kingdom), Susan Brown (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, It’s A Sin), Sandra Voe (Howards End, Vera Drake) and introducing TV newcomers, Holly Rhys and Shayde Sinclair.
The drama comes from The Forge (National Treasure, The Buccaneers, Marriage) and is executive produced by George Ormond, George Faber and Jack Thorne. Joe Donaldson (Cobra, Ripper Street, Peaky Blinders) is the producer and Peter Hoar (It’s A Sin, The Last of Us, Umbrella Academy) will direct. Falling has been commissioned for Channel 4 by Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama and Gwawr Lloyd, Commissioning Editor, Drama.
“I never thought I’d write a love story, but I am very excited to be making one with the brilliant Peter Hoar,” said Thorne. “We feel so lucky we have persuaded the mighty (and lovely) Keeley Hawes, the brilliant (and also lovely) Paapa Essiedu and the most amazing company of (lovely) actors to come make this with us, The Forge and Channel 4.”
‘Falling‘ does not have a premiere date yet but will air on Channel 4 in the UK. If you want to keep track of these or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
