In December 2014, Chris Lang will being scripting on the second season of Sky Atlantic’s acclaimed drama The Tunnel, starring Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy star in the series as detectives Karl Roebuck and Elise Wassermann.
In spring 2015, Chris will begin filming Unforgotten a six episode thriller that tells the story of a 39 year old cold investigation into the murder of a boy, who was killed in 1976. The modern day investigation is run by DCI Cassie Stuart and DI Sunil ‘Sunny’ Khan, who must re-examine the evidence and investigate the key suspects: Robert Grieves, Frank Philip Cross, Lizzie Wilton and Eric Slater. The series utilises a multi-stranded narrative, set in different parts of the country, which explores and connects each of the principle characters.
Filming begins in March 2015. The series, produced by Mainstreet Pictures commissioned by ITV director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea. It will be distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide.
“Unforgotten will look at how an historic police investigation affects the lives of all those touched by it,” said Steve. “Chris Lang’s scripts are wonderfully compelling as the mystery deepens and the police hunt for the killer intensifies.”
“We’re delighted to receive our first commission from ITV”, Laura Mackie, Managing Director of Mainstreet Pictures commented, “Unforgotten explores the idea of how well do you really know a person even though you’ve lived a lifetime with them. Sometimes they turn out to be someone completely different, all with their own secrets and lies. Chris’s scripts are rich, multi-layered, intriguing and emotional.”
Read the ITV press release
When a prominent French politician is found dead on the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane) and Elise Wassermann (Clémence Poésy) are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries.
The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership. As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, Karl and Elise are drawn deeper into the killer’s increasingly personal agenda.
Set against the backdrop of Europe in crisis, The Tunnel is adapted from the hit Swedish/Danish series The Bridge.
“…intelligently made, well cast and ambitiously cinematic.” – The Independent
“atmospheric, intriguing, gripping” – The Guardian
“…a fascinating puzzle that left us eagerly awaiting the final piece” – The Telegraph
“very effectively done, creepily atmospheric and splendidly gruesome” – The Stage
Starring:
Written by:
Directed by:
Production Company: Kudos
On an idyllic summer’s day in 1991, Anne Phillips took her seven year old daughter for a picnic in a local beauty spot. One hour later, Anne was dead, brutally murdered by an unknown assailant, the only witness, her little girl.
Twenty three years on Jane (Claire Goose) now herself a mother, still lives with the legacy of that dreadful day. Emotionally scarred for life, the fact that the killer was never found has meant she has never been able to fully move on.
But now, pregnant with her second child, she and her husband finally hope for a better future. Which is when she sees him. At a routine ante natal appointment, she sees Dr Andrew Rawlins (Peter Firth) an eminent oncologist and loving father, who she becomes convinced is her mother’s killer.
But is she right, or is this just one more expression of her fragile damaged mind.
‘A masterpiece in the genre of unreliable narrator type storytelling’. The Express
‘A script that isn’t afraid to sidestep the usual thriller clichés in favour of heading in to greyer, more grown up territory. Bruising stuff’. The Mail on Sunday
‘A masterclass in seamless plot and character exposition. Five stars.’ Sunday Times.
‘An acute investigation in to the pain of grief, the acting was excellent. Undeniably gripping. ‘The Telegraph
‘Enormously satisfying.’ Radio Times.
Cast:
Written by: Chris Lang
Directed by: John Strickland
Produced by: Jeremy Gwilt
Executive producers: Chris Lang, Matt Arlidge and Jeremy Gwilt.
Production Company: TXTV
The quiet town of East Lee, in Suffolk, is thrown in to turmoil when Lorraine Mullary, a local school girl, goes missing and is then found murdered. Shock sweeps through this small market town, including the newly merged family of Rosie (Hermione Norris) and her two children, and Ben (Martin Clunes) and his two kids, their new life together now overshadowed by the threat that a killer might be in their midst. And when Rosie finds a stained pair of trainers hidden in her son Jamie’s room, she suspects it could be blood. But could her son really be involved in Lorraine’s murder?
As the police investigation continues, the emotional turmoil and stress of the tragedy start to cause tensions between the two sides of the family. Jamie seeks solace with his dad David (Paul McGann) and Rosie finds she cannot suppress the growing fear that her son might be guilty of something truly terrible.
‘A Mother’s Son is a belter, Chris Lang’s taut script is brilliantly adept at leading us in many different directions, a terrific psychological thriller’
Radio Times
Tense, absorbing, thrilling, It’s very good.’
The Guardian
A Mother’s Son offered a stella ensemble performances as the drama came to a compelling and thoroughly watchable conclusion. Searingly watchable.’
Metro
A striking portrait of the asymmetrical compartmentalised nature of one family of our times’
The Times
‘Cracking drama…utterly compelling.’
The Sun
‘This is edge of the sofa psychodrama.’
The Telegraph
Cast:
Writer: Chris Lang
Director: Ed Bazelgette
Produced by: Colin Wratten
Executive producers: Chris Lang and Myar Craig Brown
Production Company: ITV Studios
The Little House is an adaptation of Philippa Gregory’s best selling novel, exploring the psychological power struggles within one family.
Ruth (Lucy Griffiths) is married to career minded Patrick (Rupert Evans) and is pushed towards the limits of her own sanity when she becomes entangled in the lives of her wealthy but interfering in laws, Elizabeth (Francesca Annis) and Frederick (Tim Piggot Smith).
An Oedipal tale of obsession and murder, The Little House drew 7.5 million viewers and received rave reviews.
‘Very subtly and deftly done with a terrific cast… don’t miss’ The Mail
‘A top notch cast, a decent script and clever moody direction make ‘The Little House’ highly watchable’ The Independent
‘Don’t miss this delightfully creepy two part drama.’ Closer
‘The two part psychological drama is a treat’ Saturday Mail
Starring:
Written by: Ed Whitmore
Directed by: Jamie Payne
Produced by: Jeremy Gwilt
Executive producers: Chris Lang, Matt Arlidge, Jeremy Gwilt.
Production Company: TXTV
DC Jay Pearson (Daniella Nardini) is part of the team tracking an elusive serial rapist. Against the backdrop of a fractured relationship with her sister Ali (Sarah Parish) she helps lead the investigation toward a prime suspect and as the net tightens and questions become answered, motives wrought with obsession and the overwhelming consequences of revenge, start to reveal themselves. That the prime suspect turns out to be Jay’s sister’s boyfriend (Greg Wise) is complicated. That Jay is having a secret affair with him, makes it more complicated still.
Taking place during a sultry London summer ‘Sirens’ examines themes of revenge, obsession and sibling rivalry that conclude in a terrifying Hitchcockian climax.
“Oh wow, this is good !” Evening Standard
“It grips right from the start, effortlessly watchable and exciting” Radio Times
“A gloriously steamy retro atmosphere, the plot twists feverishly, Robert Glennister’s superb” The Times
“It was absolutely brilliant. This was superior television, brilliantly written, wonderfully acted and really tense.” Daily Express
“Truly compelling drama, top performances all round, just watch it.” Sunday Mirror
Starring:
Written by: Chris Lang
Directed by: Nick Laughland
Produced by: Margaret Mitchell
Associate producer: Chris Lang
Executive producers: Kumari Salgado and Judy Counihan
Production Company: Scottish Media Group
Pete and Lydia Gray are celebrating their son Max’s fourth birthday, when he is snatched by bitter and vengeful young man, Benjamin Cain. Given up for adoption at birth and condemned to life in a care system that failed him, Cain has endured years of abuse, addiction and betrayal. He is also Max’s half-brother and now has plans to avenge himself, not only on those who tormented him, but on the ‘loving’ birth parent who left him to the tender mercies of a flawed and brutal system.
A child in danger. A race against time. And the unanswerable question: how far would you go to protect the thing you love most in the world?
‘Unconditional Love’ is a thrilling two-hour kidnap drama about love, morality and two ordinary people under extraordinary pressure.
“Well plotted, well written, well performed. Compelling” The Guardian
“This was gripping drama”. The Mirror
“A terrifying tale. Compelling.” The Telegraph
“A powerful feature length drama, Parish gives her usual delectable turn, a gripping thriller.” Evening Standard
“Skillfully plotted, well acted, Parish showed her versatility with a fine performance. ”The Express.
Starring:
Robson Green
Joe Absalom
Sarah Parish
Peter Capaldi.
Written by: Chris Lang
Directed by: Ferdinand Fairfax
Produced by: Mark Pybus
Executive producers: George Faber and George Pattinson
Production Company: Company Pictures
When single mother Sally Ronson (Ashley Jenson) received a letter from a solicitor telling her she had been named in the will of a stranger, she was intrigued. Assuming she had been left a few hundred pounds from some distant relative, she headed up to the solicitor’s office with low expectations.
And there, alone in a private room with a CD the benefactor had made for her, she heard she was to inherit five million pounds. And all she had to do to get it, was kill a man. ‘A man who deserves to die’.
A high concept story of revenge and betrayal, The Reckoning captivated 6.5 million viewers on ITV1.
‘Essentially a re-working of Dostoevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’, Ashley Jenson gives an excellent performance’. The Times
‘The Reckoning delivered two terrific hours of compelling drama’ Sunday Mirror
‘If you watch the first five minutes, you’ll be hooked’ The Mail
‘Taut and Hitchcockian, this drama’s sure to be a hit’ The Express
Starring:
Written by: Chris Lang
Directed by: Jim O’Hanlon
Produced by: Jeremy Gwilt
Executive producers: Chris Lang, Matt Arlidge, Jeremy Gwilt.
Production Company: TXTV
Trevor Eve stars as DI John Paxton, an officer who begins to question his job when a murderer walks free from court because of a legal technicality. His boss DCI Pete Chambers is equally disgusted by the outcome and plots the ultimate revenge – killing the culprit himself. Paxton refuses to get involved, but later discovers Chambers dead in his car – and ends up being the chief suspect for the crime…
Having been framed for the murder, Paxton has no choice but to go on the run, he leaves his wife and young family behind and embarks on a dangerous quest for the truth – a fugitive from the very system he once sought to uphold, he must prove his innocence by finding the real culprit. Lawless follows one man’s journey to the edge of despair as all that he once believed in falls apart.
A gripping and ambitious serial, ‘Lawless’ asks what might happen if public servants carried out our darkest wishes.
‘This is one of those dramas that has you gripped from the start. Outstanding. Trevor Eve was brilliant.’ The Express
‘Eve is one Of the most mesmerising actors on television you just can’t take your eyes off him.’ The Mail
‘Nobody who saw the first episode of Lawless is likely to feel short changed, the pace, confidence and generally slick plotting make for an exciting watch.’ The Telegraph
‘A strong cast, a tight script, a very watchable drama.’ Radio Times
‘Trevor Eve projects are usually wonderful and this is no exception. A very watchable drama.’ The Sun
Starring:
Written by: Chris Lang
Directed by: Roger Gartland
Produced by; Tom Grieves
Executive producers: George Faber and Charles Pattinson
Production Company: Company Pictures
Inspired a by a true story, Torn is a dramatic tale of parental love, families ties and belonging. It begins when Sarah (Holly Aird) believes she has seen the daughter she lost on a beach 11 years ago – the daughter who had, it was always assumed, tragically drowned. What follows is a devastating tug of love, as the now teenage girl (Jo Woodcock) is torn between her beloved “mother” who abducted her (Nicola Walker) and her biological mother, Sarah, who is a now stranger to her.
Torn was RTS nominated for Best Drama Serial and entertained 6.5 million viewers.
‘This is by miles, the best ITV drama in ages thanks to an intelligent and shaded script by Chris Lang, the performances are excellent, all in all, a superior slice of drama’. Daily Mirror
‘The best drama on ITV since Prime Suspect, plausible, messy and superlatively performed.’ The Times
I plan to watch every minute of this three parter, it’s a sensational edge of the seat treat’. Daily Express
‘Mesmerising performances, this was most definitely one of ITV’s best recent dramas.’ The Mail
One of ITV’s most thoughtful and delicately played series of 2007’. Time Out
Nominated for an RTS award 2008 for Best Serial.
Starring:
Written by: Chris Lang
Directed by: Sarah Harding
Produced by: Jeremy Gwilt
Executive producers: Chris Lang, Matt Arlidge and Jeremy Gwilt.
Production Company: TXTV
When Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Stone’s wife disappeared without a trace five years ago, his life imploded. Wracked with confusion and feelings of guilt, Stone spent every waking hour looking for her. Driven to the point of destruction, and sinking into alcoholism and despair, he began to lose his grip on reality.
Meanwhile, for the last five years John Dean has suffered from total amnesia following a massive head injury. The subject of numerous psychological studies, Dean has rebuilt his life, running a small shipyard repair shop with new wife Jenna.
Back at work, Stone is increasingly distracted. His continual search keeps leading him back to two unrelated men, John Dean and Paul West (who killed his wife and child for insurance money). Stone’s instincts tell him to pursue Dean, determined to prove he is planning a similar fate for his own new family. But, as Stone’s behaviour becomes ever more erratic, the less credible his claims seem – leaving him to question his motives as he finds himself on the wrong side of the law.
The drama delves into the darkest parts of a man’s mind and leaves Stone fighting to prove his own innocence, wondering if he in fact murdered his own wife…
Amnesia entertained seven million viewers on ITV1 and was nominated for an Edgar in 2005.
‘It’s superbly intelligent filmmaking, truly memorable viewing.’ Time Out
‘In the best thriller tradition nobody in ‘Amnesia’ is what they seem. Brilliant dramatic conception. Unforgettable.’ The Telegraph
‘There is nothing forgettable about Amnesia.’ Daily Express
‘Worthy of Agatha Christie – and higher praise than that I cannot, within this genre, bestow.’ The Guardian
‘Taut, stylish and intelligent. Hannah is outstanding. Memories are made of this.’ The Sunday Express
Starring:
Written by: Chris Lang
Directed by: Nick Laughland
Produced by: Jeremy Gwilt
Executive producers: Douglas Rae and Robert Bernstein
Production Company: Ecosse Films
