I’m definitely a fan of James ‘Jimmy’ Nesbitt, so it’s great to hear he’s heading home to star in Bloodlines, a major original crime drama for BBC One, created by new writer Chris Brandon.

Bloodlands is Brandon’s first original drama series commission and the first drama from newly formed production company HTM Television. It begins after a car containing a possible suicide note is pulled out of Strangford Lough. There, Northern Irish detective Tom Brannick (Nesbitt) quickly connects it to an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance.  Bloodlands follows his dogged hunt for a legendary assassin, an explosive cat-and-mouse game where the stakes have never been higher…. Jimmy said this about his involvement and the project:

“It’s great to be back making a drama in and about Northern Ireland, which now has a film and television industry as good as any in the world.  We have compelling scripts from a brilliant young writer who was raised in County Down, which are very exciting and psychologically complex. I can’t wait to start.” 

Chris Brandon added:

“I’m absolutely delighted that the first opportunity I get to tell a story on this scale, it is one that is so close to home and the people and places that raised me. On top of that, to be telling it with James Nesbitt, Jed Mercurio and the incredible team at HTM is a total privilege.”

Bloodlands is directed by Pete Travis (Omagh, The Go-Between) and produced by Christopher Hall, filming is set to take place in and around Belfast and Strangford Lough and further casting will be announced accordingly. We’ll bring you more as we hear it!