Channel 4 has assembled an impressive resistance movement for ‘Army of Shadows’, a provocative new six-part thriller from Ronan Bennett, the BAFTA-winning writer behind The Day of the Jackal and MobLand.
Paddy Considine (House of the Dragon, MobLand), America Ferrera (Barbie, The Lost Bus), Alex Hassell (Rivals, Wasteman) and Kit Harington (Industry, Game of Thrones) will lead the ensemble cast, with filming now underway across Manchester, Liverpool, London and Paris.
Lisa Gunning (Black Doves, The Power) will direct all six episodes of the drama, which is co-produced by STUDIOCANAL and Blue Lights producer Two Cities Television for Channel 4.
Inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville’s acclaimed 1969 film and Joseph Kessel’s book of the same name, the original story dramatised the emergence of the French Resistance during the Nazi occupation of France. Bennett’s new version takes that central idea and relocates it to an occupied Great Britain.
The series has been developed and produced with the support of the Melville family and the Kessel estate, which is controlled by the Irish Red Cross.
In the world of ‘Army of Shadows’, Britain still looks almost normal. However, the flags have changed, the news is carefully controlled, and people have learned that certain things should no longer be said aloud.
Something has gone terribly and quietly wrong beneath the surface of everyday life.
A former soldier known only as Berry begins assembling a secret resistance network. His guiding principle is simple: do not act before you are ready. Gradually, an unlikely collection of ordinary people forms around him, including a soldier, a student, a radiographer and a journalist.
Each has reached the point where looking away is no longer an option, forcing them to make a decision that will permanently change their lives.
Standing against them is a state with seemingly unlimited reach, a ruthless government minister determined to maintain “order”, and Jessie, an American intelligence operative who is extremely good at her job.
Channel 4 describes the drama as a tense and propulsive thriller exploring the real cost of resistance, built around one uncomfortable question: if your country were occupied, what would you do?
“Ronan Bennett has created a gripping, provocative and action-packed drama that feels both epic in scale and strikingly relevant. Army of Shadows asks powerful questions about freedom, resistance and the choices people make when democracy is under threat. With a stellar cast lined up under the direction of Lisa Gunning, this is exactly the kind of thought-provoking and high stakes drama that Channel 4 looks to bring to our viewers. We’re delighted to partner with STUDIOCANAL and Two Cities Television on what promises to be an unmissable event series,” said Gwawr Lloyd, Interim Head of Drama at Channel 4.
Anna Marsh, CEO of STUDIOCANAL and Chief Content Officer of CANAL+, added: “Inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville’s exceptional 1969 film from our catalogue, and Joseph Kessel’s formative book, we are incredibly proud to have developed this series from inception, attaching an extraordinary cast and creative team to bring ARMY OF SHADOWS into production today. Ronan Bennett’s work is thrilling, climactic and important. And we are delighted to now welcome Lisa Gunning who directs all 6 episodes with irrepressible vision and command. ARMY OF SHADOWS is a series that has no limitations across audience, geographies or relevance and in partnership with Two Cities Television and Channel 4 it is a privilege for the teams at CANAL+ and STUDIOCANAL to bring such a visceral piece of television to audiences around the world.”
Ronan Bennett executive produces alongside Paul Gilbert and M-K Kennedy for STUDIOCANAL Television, Ron Halpern and Joe Naftalin for STUDIOCANAL, and Stephen Wright and Michael Jackson for Two Cities Television. Alison Sterling serves as series producer.
CANAL+ has also commissioned the drama for its international footprint, which covers more than 50 countries across France, Europe, Africa and Asia. STUDIOCANAL will handle worldwide distribution and international sales.
‘Army of Shadows’ will premiere on Channel 4 in the UK, with further details to be announced. 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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