Jim Sturgess (One Day, 21) and Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song) have been cast in BBC One’s forthcoming “pre-apocalyptic” crime drama Hard Sun.
Written by Luther creator Neil Cross, the six-part series sees the duo play detectives Robert Hicks and Elaine Renko, partners and enemies in contemporary London who seek to enforce the law and protect their loved ones in a world that every day slips closer to certain destruction.
Speaking in 2015 when the series was first announced, Cross said: “Imagine the world you see when you look out your window… except it’s been given a death sentence. This isn’t science fiction. This is the real world. There’s no hero to come save us; no contingency plan.
“We’ve got five years.
“This is the world of Hard Sun… and the world of Elaine Renko and Robert Hicks. detectives Robert Hicks and Elaine Renko, partners and enemies in contemporary London, who seek to enforce the law and protect their loved ones in a world that every day slips closer to certain destruction.”
Hicks (Sturgess) is a family man and a great, committed copper. He’s also profoundly corrupt. Renko (Deyn) is difficult and damaged… and utterly incorruptible.
The pair stand on different ends of the social and moral spectrum. They also seriously distrust one other – and for good reason. But they must somehow learn to work together if they’re going to survive until the end of the world.
Commenting on his casting, Jim Sturgess said: “I am very excited to be playing Hicks in this wonderful project. To work with Neil’s fantastic writing is a great opportunity and I hope we are going to create an amazing experience for our audience. I can’t wait to get started!”
Agyness Dean added: “As soon as I read the first episode I was hooked. I’m such a fan of both Neil and Brian’s work, it’s an honour to join the Hard Sun team.”
The series is produced by Euston Films and filming will start later this month in London for transmission later in 2017.