Paapa Essiedu may soon be set to don the dark robes of Severus Snape in HBO’s “Harry Potter” series, but the British actor will first be getting into the black cloth of the clergy.
The “I May Destroy You” and “Black Mirror” star will play a Catholic priest alongside Keeley Hawes (“Scoop,” “Miss Austen”) as a devoted nun in the Channel 4 drama “Falling,” which marks the first ever love story from BAFTA-winning “Adolescence” writer Jack Thorne. The Forge Entertainment, a Banijay U.K. company, produces.
In “Falling,” Essiedu’s priest and Hawes’ nun are both deeply committed to their work in the church and in their community. Neither are expected to fall in love. But when they do, both are forced to wrestle with what it means for them, their vows, and their relationship with God. The drama is described as a “witty, moving, contemporary romantic drama that is as honest as it is full of heart.”
Also joining the cast are Rakie Ayola (“The Pact,” “Kaos”), Jason Watkins (“Coma,” “The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies”), Niamh Cusack (“The Virtues,” “Heartbeat”), Adrian Scarborough (“Gavin and Stacey,” “The Chelsea Detective”), David Dawson (“My Policeman,” “The Last Kingdom”), Susan Brown (“Mr Bates vs The Post Office,” “It’s A Sin”), Sandra Voe (“Howards End,” “Vera Drake”) and introducing TV newcomers, Holly Rhys and Shayde Sinclair.
“I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Anna and so looking forward to working alongside the brilliant Paapa Essiedu to bring Jack Thorne’s beautiful scripts to life,” said Hawes.
“Falling is a story that has Jack Thorne’s singular talent of mining the sublime out of the ordinary running all the way through. I can’t wait to work with Keeley, Peter and the rest of the team to bring this world to life,” added Essiedu.
Thorne says: “I never thought I’d write a love story, but I am very excited to be making one with the brilliant Peter Hoar. We feel so lucky we have persuaded the mighty (and lovely) Keeley Hawes, the brilliant (and also lovely) Paapa Essiedu and the most amazing company of (lovely) actors to come make this with us, The Forge and Channel 4.”
“Falling” is executive produced by George Ormond, George Faber and Thorne. Joe Donaldson (“Cobra, “Ripper Street,” “Peaky Blinders”) is the producer and Peter Hoar (“It’s A Sin,” “The Last of Us,” “Umbrella Academy”) will direct. “Falling” has been commissioned for Channel 4 by Ollie Madden, director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama and Gwawr Lloyd, commissioning editor, drama.
“Falling” will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.
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