Suspenseful event thriller, Safe House, starring Christopher Eccleston, Marsha Thomason and Paterson Joseph and produced by leading independent production company Eleventh Hour Films has been recommissioned by broadcaster ITV.
Set in the beautiful picturesque wilderness of the Lake District, the second series will be written by Ed Whitmore (Arthur & George, Silent Witness, Waking the Dead) and Tracey Malone (Silent Witness), with Marc Evans (Hinterland, Collision) returning to direct.
Eleventh Hour Films Head of Development Paula Cuddy (Strike Back, Wallander) will executive produce alongside company founder and Managing Director Jill Green (Foyle’s War, Collision, The American).
The first series, which also featured Nicola Stephenson and Jason Merrells in guest roles, averaged 6.5 million viewers and a 24% share of the audience with the most watched episode achieving 7.3m viewers and 27%. The drama won its scheduling slot for each of the four episodes.
The second series will deliver a brand new four-part story involving the married couple played by Christopher Eccleston and Marsha Thomason who own a guest house in a remote Lake District location, which provides the perfect cover for a police safe house. Unbeknownst to the local community former police officer Robert (Eccleston) and his wife Katy (Thomason) continue to offer sanctuary to those in need of protection, when lives are at risk and the stakes high.
ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea have recommissioned Safe House and production will be overseen from a network perspective by ITV’s Head of Drama Series, Jane Hudson.
“We had a tremendous reaction from the audience to Safe House,” said Steve November. “From the gripping story and compelling performances, we were delighted with every aspect of the production. With Ed Whitmore and Tracey Malone writing the scripts and Jill and Paula producing we know the new series will be in safe hands,” he added.
“From the outset the ambition was for Safe House to become a returnable series,” said Paula Cuddy. “The characters of Robert and Katy, maintaining their cover and providing a place of safety for those in need of protection is a compelling idea. We’re thrilled to be returning to tell another complex and engaging story.” she added.