Metropolitan police comedy drama returns

Filming has begun on the full six-part series of Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong’s Channel 4 comedy drama, Babylon following the successful pilot shown earlier in February.

The series – which stars, Brit Marling, James Nesbitt, Paterson Joseph, Bertie Carvel, Adam Deacon, Jill Halfpenny, Jonny Sweet and Nicola Walker – focuses a modern metropolitan police force trying to navigate, the world of criminals, press and public perception

Director of Communications Liz Garvey (Brit Marling) tries to drag the force into the new media age – while navigating scheming deputy Finn (Bertie Carvel), who’s determined to bring the American’s bright new future crashing down.

Commissioner Richard Miller (James Nesbitt), Deputy Commissioner Charles Inglis (Paterson Joseph) and Assistant Commissioner Sharon Franklin (Nicola Walker) try to keep the force ticking over and the city safe under the constant scrutiny of politicians, the public and the media.

Robbie (Adam Deacon) moves closer to his dream of being a Firearms Officer – but is this the kind of guy you really want carrying a gun? Public Order Specialists Davina (Jill Halfpenny) and Clarkey (Cavan Clerkin) find their personal lives spilling over into the riot van; and in the Armed Response Unit, Tony (Stuart Martin) and Banjo (Andrew Brooke) must contend with the increasingly fragile emotional state of Warwick (Nick Blood). Meanwhile, documentary director Matt (Daniel Kaluuya) has plans for an expose that will stun the force – and the public…

Babylon is created and exec produced by Danny Boyle (who also directed the pilot episode), Robert Jones (The Usual Suspects, Dirty Pretty Things), Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain. The series is produced by Jones and Derrin Schlesinger (This Is England ’86, Four Lions, Southcliffe).

Jon S. Baird (Filth) directs the first three episodes with Sally El Hosaini (My Brother the Devil) will direct episodes 4-6. BAFTA-winner Jon Brown (Misfits, Fresh Meat) will write two episodes of the series.

Babylon is currently shooting in and around London for transmission on Channel 4 in the autumn.