Apocalypse series attracts stars from both sides of the Atlantic

*Updated: Apocalypse Slough has been re-named now You, Me and the Apocalypse*

Sky 1 and NBC has announced an all-star cast for a new 10-part comedy-drama, Apocalypse Slough.

The cast includes US actors Rob Lowe (West Wing), Jenna Fischer (The Office) and Emmy Award winner Megan Mullally (Will and Grace), alongside Brit actors Mathew Baynton (Yonderland), Pauline Quirke (Birds of a Feather), Paterson Joseph (Peep Show) and Joel Fry (Game of Thrones).

The story follows an eclectic group of seemingly unconnected characters around the world as their lives start to intersect in the most unexpected ways, in a mix of action, adventure and romance. All triggered by the news that a comet is on an unavoidable collision course towards earth…

Lowe will play Father Jude, the Vatican’s most rebellious priest. But beneath his irreverent exterior he’s a deeply moral man with a profound and passionate faith. His world will be turned upside down by news of the impending apocalypse, forcing him to question his vows, and bring him face to face with his past.

Fischer will portray Rhonda, a mild-mannered librarian who finds herself dangerously out of her depth when she is sent to a maximum security prison in New Mexico for a crime she did not commit.

Mullally will play Leanne, an unhinged white supremacist who takes a deeply reluctant Rhonda under her wing.

Baynton will take on the role of humble Slough bank manager Jamie. Hopelessly likable but hopelessly stuck in a rut, who embarks on a perilous quest to find his wife who mysteriously disappeared seven years ago.

Quirke will take on the role of Jamie’s loving but tough-as-nails mum Paula. A nurse by profession, she also nurses a dark secret about Jamie, one that will turn his life upside down…

Joseph will play General Gaines who has rapidly risen through the ranks of the army, becoming a 5 Star General with responsibility for briefing the President of the United States on high-level military matters.

Fry plays Dave, Jamie’s hedonistic best friend, who encourages Jamie to grab what’s left of life by the balls.  Blessed with an outrageous sense of humour and a lust for life, he responds to news of the impending apocalypse by writing an utterly shameless bucket list…

Rob Lowe commented: “I’ve always been a fan of the kind of smart, ambitious and challenging filmmaking that comes from Sky and Working Title. This script and my character in particular, blew me away.”

Mathew Baynton commented: “I’ve had a great time making Yonderland with Sky 1 and Working Title and from page one of Apocalypse Slough; I knew I wanted to be involved. Iain’s produced an epic rollercoaster ride of a story and I can’t wait to get started on the end of the world”.

Pauline Quirke commented: “I was intrigued by the title then gripped by the actual scripts and storylines can’t wait to get started!”

Apocalypse Slough is produced by Working Title and Bigballs Films; creator and lead writer for the series is Iain Hollands (Beaver Falls).