Cast includes Lydia Wilson, Joel Fry, James Frecheville, Clare Rushbrook, Tara Fitzgerald, Richard Harrington, Joanna Scanlan and Brendan Coyle.
London, 23 March 2017: Filming has commenced in Newport, Wales on a major 6 x 60 psychological thriller series, Requiem, created and written by Kris Mrksa (The Slap, Underbelly) and directed by Mahalia Belo (Volume, Ellen). Requiem is part psychological thriller but also a subtle tale of the supernatural. Commissioned by BBC One and co-produced by New Pictures (The Missing, Indian Summers) and Netflix in association with all3media International. Netflix will debut the series globally outside of the U.K. Production funding support from the Welsh Government ensured Requiem is set and filmed in Wales, securing work for Welsh crews, facilities companies and local suppliers.
We all want to find out who we really are, but what if we don’t like the answer?
In 1994, a toddler disappears from a small Welsh town, never to be seen again. 23 years later, Matilda, a talented young cellist, played by Lydia Wilson (Star Trek Beyond, About Time), has her life turned upside down by her mother’s inexplicable suicide. In the wake of the tragedy, Matilda begins to question everything she thought she knew about herself, embarking on a quest that leads her to that Welsh village. A place haunted by its own past, where the secrets she uncovers threaten to unravel her very identity.
Requiem is a taut psychological thriller with subtle supernatural undertones. It avoids giving easy answers, playing instead on uncertainty and ambiguity, while interrogating our contemporary obsession with personal identity. Matilda is joined on her journey to discover the truth by loyal best friend Hal (Joel Fry) and Nick (James Freecheville), another stranger in town who may not be all that he seems.
Creator and Writer Kris Mrksa says: “Requiem is the show I’ve always wanted to make. To be making it with the team at New Pictures, and for the BBC and Netflix, networks that I so greatly admire, really is a dream come true.”
Willow Grylls, Executive Producer for New Pictures, says: “We are thrilled to have BBC One, Netflix and all3media International as partners on this exciting new project from Kris Mrksa which will be helmed by award winning director Mahalia Belo.”
Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama says: “Kris Mrska’s Requiem is a unique thriller with a strong authorial vision and a wonderful cast confirmed. BBC One continues to bring audiences exciting and bold original drama series.”
Welsh Government Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “Our growing success in the TV and film production industry is helping to promote Wales globally and highlight the talent and skills base that we have here. Attracting productions of this calibre to Wales is a sector priority and brings direct and indirect benefits to the economy, to local communities and to the film and TV sector.”
Further cast being announced today are; Rose by Clare Rushbrook, Hilary by Tara Fitzgerald, Aron by Richard Harrington, Janice who is played by Joanna Scanlan, Kendrick by Brendan Coyle, Trudy by Sian Reese Williams, Ed by Dyfan Dwyfor and Harry by Ifan Huw Thomas.
Requiem is written by Kris Mrksa (episodes 1-4 & 6) and Blake Ashford (episode 5). The series is produced by Sue Breen and executive produced by Willow Grylls, Elaine Pyke and Charlie Pattinson for New Pictures, Kris Mrksa and Christopher Aird for BBC.
all3media International are handling all international sales.