Sheridan Smith has begun filming Clean Break, her new six part ITV series about “an ordinary working class woman” who is caught between two worlds – the everyday life of a devoted and loving Mum and the darker, dangerous world of insider trading.
Sassy office cleaner Sam (Smith) is one of an invisible army of cleaners on a zero hours contract who mop, sweep and vacuum in the early hours. Struggling with an on-line gambling addiction, Sam realises she has access to lucrative Stock Market information which if used correctly could be the answer to all her prayers.
With her husband threatening to take custody of their two daughters, Sam is being backed into a corner and needs to come out fighting.
Getting back to black is going to be tough and Sam is about to stake everything on the unpredictable world of the Stock Market.
With her trusted band of cleaners gleaning information while the rest of the world sleeps, and in the knowledge insider trading is against the law will Sam tread this dangerous line? Smart, and witty, can Sam overcome her addictive personality?
Smith will be joined by Ben Bailey Smith (Brief Encounters, David Brent: Life on the Road), Neil Maskell (Humans, Utopia), Jade Anouka (Trauma, Chewing Gum), Lloyd Owen (Apollo 18, Silent Witness, Death in Paradise), Robert Emms (War Horse, Happy Valley) and Rosie Cavaliero (Unforgotten, Call the Midwife).
The actress commented: “I’m incredibly excited to be part of Clean Break. Mark Marlow has written truly brilliant scripts and I feel very fortunate to be involved. It’s lovely to be returning to ITV and I can’t wait to get started.”
Producer Jane Featherstone added: “It’s such a pleasure to be making a show for ITV about contemporary Britain with a strong and deeply flawed female lead character.
“It’s also enormously gratifying that this comes from an exceptional brand new voice, Mark, and a brilliant up and coming director, Lewis Arnold. Expect it to be moving, funny and surprising.”