Dead and Buried: Colin Morgan and Annabel Scholey to star in new BBC thriller

January 22, 2024

Coli Morgan and Annabel Scholey

BBC One’s upcoming thriller, “Dead and Buried,” will feature Annabel Scholey and Colin Morgan in leading roles as filming kicks off for the four-part psychological drama, scripted by Colin Bateman.

Commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland and Virgin Media Television in collaboration with All3Media International, the series boasts a star-studded cast including Annabel Scholey (known for “The Split,” “The Serial Killer’s Wife,” and “The Salisbury Poisonings”) and Colin Morgan (“Humans,” “Belfast,” and “Dead Shot”). Joining them are Kerri Quinn (“Hope Street”), Waj Ali (“Carnival Row”), Owen Roe (“Vikings”), and Niamh Walsh (“The Sandman”).

Produced by Three River Fiction and Vico Films with support from Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, and Coimisiún na Meán, the series is set on the border and will be filmed in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the upcoming months.

The plot revolves around Cathy (played by Annabel Scholey), who, outside a supermarket with her son, unexpectedly encounters Michael (played by Colin Morgan), the man convicted of her brother’s brutal murder two decades ago. Despite her friend’s advice, Cathy delves into social media, revealing the successful life Michael has built since his early release from prison, a stark contrast to her years of grieving.

Haunted by her past, Cathy initiates a secret relationship with the man she despises, leading to a campaign of harassment and deception. As Cathy’s obsession intensifies, the lines between revenge fantasies and reality blur, culminating in a psychological warfare campaign to dismantle Michael’s life.

Colin Morgan expresses his excitement about working on Colin Bateman’s dark and compelling drama, while Annabel Scholey, thrilled to bring the complex character of Cathy to life, commends the brilliant team involved.

Colin Bateman, the writer and executive producer, reflects on the universal and timeless conundrum at the heart of the story: how one reacts when faced with someone who has thrived after murdering a loved one.

Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, emphasizes the collaboration between Bateman’s storytelling expertise and a stellar cast from Northern Ireland. Virgin Media Television’s Anthony Nilan describes “Dead and Buried” as a confident, intense, and fun thriller, aligning with the network’s commitment to delivering compelling home-produced dramas.

The drama, directed by Laura Way and produced by Three River Fiction and Vico Films, is slated to air later this year. Cormac Fox, Executive Producer for Vico Films, expresses delight in bringing Bateman’s adaptation to life on screen with an outstanding cast and crew.