New Crime Adaptation for Sky Living

Last week we reported that rising star Sophie Rundle (The Bletchley Circle, Episodes), is to take the lead alongside Russell Tovey (Being Human, Him & Her), Mark Lewis Jones (Stella, Titanic), Michael Smiley (Utopia, Luther) and Christine Tremarco (Good Cop, Five Days) in an exciting new Sky Living, two-part crime drama, ‘Talking To The Dead’.

We now have more information about the drama – a co-production between Bonafide Films and Warp Films for Sky Living’s Drama Matters season.

The Cardiff-based thriller tells the modern story of wayward police officer, DC Fiona Griffiths (Rundle), who suffers from a secret history of Cotard’s Syndrome; a mental illness which has left her with a deep and peculiar empathy for the dead.

Adapted by Golden Globe Award nominee Gwyneth Hughes (The Girl, Five Days), ‘Talking To the Dead’ is based on an original novel of the same name from acclaimed author, Harry Bingham (The Sons Of Adam, The Lieutenant’s Lover). Other top names set to feature include Keith Allen (Robin Hood), Syrus Lowe (Doctors), Lois Winstone (Tamara Drew) and Adrian Schiller (Silk).

When a prostitute and her young daughter are found brutally murdered on her first day with Cardiff’s Major Crime Unit, DC Fiona Griffiths (Rundle) is desperate to be involved in the case. Under the watchful eye of DCI Owen Jackson (Lewis Jones), Fiona finds her investigations frustratingly limited to following the paper trail of a bank card found at the crime scene, registered to a local shipping tycoon who mysteriously died in the Severn Estuary nine years ago.

This is not the first time Fiona has uncovered dark secrets in the detritus of people’s everyday lives and an overlapping embezzlement investigation into a corrupt ex-cop, Penry (Smiley), adds to her work load.

However, the highly committed and potentially brilliant Fiona is compelled to take matters in her own hands. Working alongside respected Detective Sergeant Huw Brydon (Tovey), the rookie cop must take care not to ruffle feathers as she surreptitiously pursues leads. As she delves deeper into the investigation Fiona’s obsession with the crime increasingly draws out her own personal and professional demons leading her to question whether she really is as cured of her condition as she previously thought.

Commenting on her new role, Sophie Rundle said, “I’m very excited to be playing my first lead role in such a compelling crime story. Fiona is a complex and intricate character who offers such an original take on the usual depiction of the established detectives. I’m looking forward to trying my hand at the art of self defence and really embrace Fiona’s fighting spirit.”

Margery Bone, Executive Producer for Bonafide Films said, “Talking To The Dead is a stylish and exiting crime drama that has been expertly adapted by Gwyneth Hughes. Fiona is an incredibly unique character who we hope will strike a brand new chord with British audiences. We pride ourselves on working with both established and up-and-coming names, and are incredibly pleased to have such a gifted array of talent to bring to life this very complex and diverse crime adaptation.”

Margery Bone is Executive Producer for Bonafide Films and Robin Gutch for Warp Films. China Moo-Young (Call The Midwife, Scott & Bailey) is directing with Elwen Rowlands (Vera) producing.