Cast announced for Peter Moffat thriller

Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester are to star in Peter Moffat’s new six-part BBC One political thriller – Undercover.

The drama sees lead character Maya (Okonedo), about to become the first black Director of Public Prosecutions, with her husband, Nick (Lester). Just as her life comes under intense public scrutiny Maya discovers that her husband and the father of her children has been lying to her for years. Is he concealing an affair, or is it something altogether more sinister? If she digs up his real past will she be safe and who wants her in this job and why?

Twenty years ago Nick was a fearless and dedicated undercover officer, infiltrating organisations considered a danger to society because of their political beliefs. Nick built himself a fake past and now with his wife unsuspecting and his conscience killing him – his secret identity may compromise the new Director of Public Prosecutions.

Undercover also stars: Tamara Lawrance, Daniel Ezra, Shannon Hayes, Vincent Regan, Angel Coulby, Derek Ridell, Mark Bonnar, Leanne Best, Jude Akuwudike, Thomas Dominique, Glyn Grimstead, Phil Deguara, Sam Stockman, Thomas Aldridge, Kerry Shale, Neil D’Souza, Todd Kramer, Robert Whitelock, Terence Beesley, Fraser Ayres, Clarence Smith, Brett Allen, Nathan Nolan and Enzo Squillino Jr.

Writer Peter Moffat (Silk, Criminal Justice) says: “Ever since making Criminal Justice with Hilary Salmon we’ve been itching to get back to looking at the parts of the justice system, the media and public life that time and again over the last five years have been shown to be occupied by the good, the bad and the very ugly. I’ve been lucky enough with the research sources I’ve had access to to dig really deep into the darker corners of all these worlds and come up with what I hope is an uncompromising and surprising thriller. I feel incredibly lucky to be writing for such a wonderful cast, with two lead actors in Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester who are right at the top of their games. It has been a particular privilege to have had the chance to involve and engage Sophie in the research and development process at every point.”

Sophie Okonedo says: “Peter Moffat has written an extraordinary story that is relevant and at the same time utterly compelling. He asks hard questions of us all. The part I play is a Titan of women, called Maya, who is not afraid to say the unsayable. She is a truth seeker and is prepared to shine light into the darkest corners, come what may. I am tremendously excited, honoured and of course a little frightened to play her.”

Undercover will be directed by James Hawes (Enid) and made by BBC Drama Production England, Executive produced by Hilary Salmon and produced by Endor (Torchwood, Silk).

Undercover will shoot in and around Cornwall and London from July 2015.