Published: 06 Jul 2016
Six-part murder mystery, Loch Ness produced by ITV Studios, has received £200,000 funding from Creative Scotland’s Production Growth Fund.
The Production Growth Fund aims to stimulate growth in film and TV drama production and encourage international productions to come to Scotland.
Loch Ness began filming in the Highlands in June 2016. Written by Stephen Brady (Fortitude, Vera, Silent Witness) and produced by Tim Haines and Alan J (Willy) Wands (Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Stonemouth, The Field of Blood, Whisky Galore!) with Brian Kelly (Downton Abbey, Outlander, Dracula, Lewis) and Cilla Ware (Double Act, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes & Arthur Conan Doyle) directing, the beautiful Highland setting and the vast expanse of Loch Ness become characters in their own right in this gripping murder mystery.
Acclaimed actors Laura Fraser (Houdini and Doyle, The Missing, Peter & Wendy), Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley, Benidorm, Downton Abbey) and John Sessions (Upstart Crow, Florence Foster Jenkins, The Rack Pack) will take leading roles in the new series alongside Don Gilet (Brief Encounters, Holby City, EastEnders), Gray O'Brien (The Daniel Connection, Titanic: Blood and Steel, Coronation Street) and William Ash (The Tunnel, Moving On, Death in Paradise).
Natalie Usher, Director, Screen, Creative Scotland, said: “Creative Scotland is delighted to be working with ITV Studios on this thrilling murder mystery, set on the shores of Loch Ness. We can’t wait to see the results of the combined vision of writer Stephen Brady and directors Brian Kelly and Cilla Ware. The Production Growth Fund has allowed us to bring another high-profile television production to Scotland, further developing Scotland’s reputation as a key filming destination where productions can benefit from working with our world class craft and technical talent.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “With a talented line-up, both on and off-screen, and the incredible backdrop of Loch Ness, this is an exciting project. We know that investment in screen can bring great rewards: more jobs, further growth, attract outside investment, and ultimately bolster Scotland’s international reputation.
“Initiatives such as the Production Growth Fund are important because they anchor productions here, in Scotland. The PGF, funded by the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, helps talented producers finance projects, and in turn, it has a direct investment in our workforce, growing our creative sector.”
Loch Ness has been commissioned by ITV’s Controller of Drama, Victoria Fea and Head of Drama Series, Jane Hudson and will be overseen by ITV Studios Creative Director for Drama and Executive Producer, Tim Haines (Beowulf, Primeval, Sinbad).
ENDS
Loch Ness will introduce detective Annie Cathro and her family – husband Alan, a tour boat operator on the Loch and their only child Evie, who at 18, is about to leave home for Australia. The Cathros are an ordinary loving family with an ordinary set of problems, yet the pressure of a murder investigation will undermine their stability and create tensions that threaten to disrupt and destroy their lives together.
Within the tightly knit community, several local characters will come under suspicion as the monster lurking in their midst begins to terrify and rock the village to its core. Forensic profiler, Blake Albrighton, will assist on the case offering insights borne from the last four cases he’s helped crack with his distinctive way of working.
More information on the £1.75million Production Growth Fund from Scottish Government and the National Lottery through Creative Scotland is available at: https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/targeted-funding/screen
Recent productions also supported by Creative Scotland’s Production Growth Fund include Danny’s Boyle’s Trainspotting 2, Jonathan Teplitzky’s Churchill, Sigma Films Hush and the ITV mini-series Muncie.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
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