The BBC has released the first trailer and a batch of first-look images for ‘The Rapture’, a new psychological thriller starring Ruth Madeley (Doctor Who, Years and Years) and India Amarteifio (Queen Charlotte, The Midwich Cuckoos), coming soon to BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Adapted from Liz Jensen’s bestselling novel, the five-part drama is described as a high-stakes thriller that “crackles with danger”. Set during a heatwave, with protestors filling the streets, the story follows forensic psychologist Dr Gabriele “Gabs” Fox, played by Ruth Madeley, as she begins a new job at a high-security psychiatric hospital.
There she meets 17-year-old Bethany Krall, played by India Amarteifio, who was convicted of murdering her mother but continues to insist she is innocent.
Bethany is estranged from her father Leonard, played by Sam Hazeldine (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Slow Horses), the charismatic leader of an influential religious movement. However, her claims soon go far beyond her innocence.
Bethany tells Gabs she has psychic powers and can predict the future. Naturally, the big question is what it will take for Gabs to believe her. And if Bethany really did not kill her mother, who did?
Alongside Madeley, Amarteifio and Hazeldine, the cast includes Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones, Those About to Die) as Dick Carwyn and Stephen Campbell Moore (The History Boys, Masters of the Air) as Max Leland.
The ensemble also features Lisa Palfrey (Sex Education, Cobra), Siena Kelly (Black Mirror, Domino Day), Naby Dakhli (House of David, Messiah), Richard Elis (The Pact, Creisis), Dean Rehman (The Kite Runner, Until I Kill You), Robert Rhodes (28 Years Later, House of the Dragon) and Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey, Stella).
‘The Rapture’ was filmed in Wales and is written by award-winning performance artist, playwright and screenwriter Bryony Kimmings (Last Christmas, Bogwitch) alongside Rebecca Manley (Berlin Noir). Eva Sigurđardóttir (Little Disasters, Domino Day) and Jennifer Perrott (Rain Dogs, Gentleman Jack) direct.
The series comes from Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, with Betsan Morris Evans and Joanna Crow producing. Rebecca Durbin, Tom Leggett, Ruth Madeley and Damien Timmer executive produce for Mammoth Screen, while Danielle Scott-Haughton serves as executive producer for the BBC.
With murder, possible psychic powers, a powerful religious movement and a heatwave pushing everyone towards breaking point, the first footage suggests the BBC may have another intriguingly strange thriller on its hands.
‘The Rapture’ premieres soon on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. If I want to keep track of this or any other shows, I can add them via our Never Miss system, and I’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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