Jenna Coleman has dealt with the Daleks in Doctor Who and contended for the crown in Victoria. But later this year she takes on her toughest role to date in a new BBC One drama, The Cry.
The Cry, which will consist of four 60-minute episodes, is a “thrilling, psychological” new drama written by Jacquelin Perske. Inspiration for the story comes from the novel of the same name by Helen FitzGerald. Filmed in Scotland and Australia, The Cry is the first scripted television commission for Scottish-based production company Synchronicity Films.
Jenna will play the lead role of Joanna in The Cry. Ewen Leslie (Safe Harbour, Top of the Lake) will play her husband, Alistair. Together they must deal with “unthinkable tragedy” when their newborn baby is abducted from a small coastal town in Australia. This harrowing event is the catalyst for a journey into the disintegrating psychology of a young woman. Through its drama, The Cry promises to expose the myths and truths of motherhood.
Cast and Crew Interviews
Talking about her casting, Jenna says: “I first read Jacquelin Perske’s script on a plane, it felt like walking a tightrope, racing page to page, unsettling, unknowable, uncomfortable, and thrilling. I look forward to tackling this challenge and bringing it to the screen with such a talented team.”
Meanwhile, Ewen Leslie says he is “absolutely thrilled to be a part of the amazing team” and is “over the moon” to be given the opportunity “to bring these complicated characters and thrilling story to the screen.”
Claire Mundell, Executive Producer for Synchronicity Films, says: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Jenna and Ewen as our lead cast, and to be bringing this emotional rollercoaster of a story to BBC and international audiences.”
Finally, Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: “The Cry is an intense, psychological thriller which constantly surprises and I know that with the fantastic Jenna Coleman and Ewen Leslie leading the cast as the young couple thrown into haunting and exceptional circumstances, this will be a truly unmissable series for BBC One.”
