Show of the Week
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George Kay’s new detective drama delivers intrigue, atmosphere and a relatable, gutsy female lead. Set against a prestigious private school, the ordered life of headmaster Michael Polly collapses when his wife disappears and he becomes the prime suspect. As sharp, instinctive Detective Annie Cassidy pushes closer to the truth, Cassidy and Polly become entangled in compulsive psychological duel.
Intrigue, atmosphere and a relatable, gutsy female lead are the key elements to Gone, the latest drama from BAFTA-nominated George Kay, says Jennifer Askin, All3Media International’s EVP Americas.
Run time: 6 x 1 hour
Producers: New Pictures, Observatory Pictures
What makes it unique?
The phenomenally talented George Kay has created a new detective series that contains all the tropes of the beloved genre, while delivering a piece of drama that feels unique. It’s a claustrophobic thriller, a richly layered character drama, which goes beyond the central mystery and digs into themes of trauma, trust, prejudice and the privilege of elite institutions.
What are the auspices for the show, including key talent, writers, directors and producers?
As mentioned above, George Kay is the masterful screenwriter behind Gone, known for captivating thrillers like Hijack and acclaimed dramas like The Long Shadow. In Gone he expertly walks a fine line to keep suspicion firmly on the central character – headmaster Michael Polly – while inviting the audience to look at other suspects. Director Richard Laxton, who has helmed hit dramas like Joan and The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe, leans into character drama, giving a nuanced, emotional edge to the story. David Morrissey plays stoic masculinity brilliantly as headmaster Michael Polly, while Eve Myles brings both incredible warmth and biting tenacity to the character of Annie, Audiences will be compelled to follow her.
Do you have any deals in place with channels or platforms around the world?
BritBox are on board as North American partner at pre-sale, joined by a host of other high-profile broadcast and streaming partners across Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The series was highly anticipated at our upfronts during last week’s London TV Screenings, so we look forward to revealing more deals soon.
How does the show fit within your catalogue?
Gone is the latest addition to join our outstanding slate of dramas from New Pictures, which includes globally renowned, critically acclaimed series such as The Long Shadow, Dalgliesh and The Missing.
It also strengthens our celebrated detective portfolio, which continues to expand and evolve. From new instalments of Travis Fimmel cold-case drama Black Snow, and long-running fan favourite Midsomer Murders, to upcoming series like the bold reimagining of Dalziel and Pascoe. We’re proud to offer Gone as part of this dynamic and growing line-up.
What else is important to mention in terms of the show.
We’re thrilled to welcome BritBox as the show’s US home at this early stage and excited to bring George Kay’s latest series to American audiences through such a high-profile partner. There’s already significant buzz around the two leads: Eve Myles anchors the drama as warm, relatable Detective Annie Cassidy – a character viewers will be eager to follow – while David Morrissey delivers a gripping performance as the emotionally inscrutable headmaster Michael Polly, at once suspect and victim. Together, they power a remarkably tense two-hander.
