Rupert Penry-Jones and Shaun Evans are to star in an ITV adaptation of Blake Morrison’s best-selling suspense thriller The Last Weekend, Blake Morrison’s shocking psychological study of male jealousy.
The book is being adapted by Mick Ford, (Single Father, Ashes To Ashes,) and produced by Carnival Films.
The story unfolds over four days across one hot summer bank holiday weekend in the Suffolk countryside, the scene of what should be a relaxing break for two couples with a long shared history.
Shaun Evans plays Ian, a working class primary school teacher who met the sporty and privileged Ollie, played by Rupert Penry-Jones at university.
The weekend break is a rare chance for both couples to reminisce and spend time together as they inhabit vastly different worlds during the course of their everyday lives.
It should be an idyllic four days, over the last baking hot bank holiday weekend of the summer, but the competitive edge to the men’s relationship soon bubbles to the surface and by Friday afternoon they have resurrected an old bet, the stakes of which become higher and higher across the weekend.
As the competitiveness mounts the weather becomes ever more oppressive and dormant sexual tensions begin bubbling to the surface which results in a horrendous and catastrophic outcome for all.
Other cast members include Hugh Mitchell (Life of Riley, Waking The Dead) as Ollie and Daisy’s son Archie and Swedish actor, Alexander Karim, (Johan Falk, Varg Veum-Svarte Far) as Daisy’s client, the charismatic artist Milo.
Executive Producer, Sally Woodward Gentle says, “The Last Weekend is a brilliantly written, evocative portrayal of modern male jealousy. Superbly crafted and tightly structured, Mick has brought Morrison’s claustrophobic thriller to life with exquisite menace.”
ITV’s Director of Drama, Laura Mackie, added: “Carnival are brilliant at delivering classy, high-quality drama and The Last Weekend will add to our strong slate of contemporary serials.”