ITV has announced an all-new cast for its crime drama Safe House after former leading man Christopher Eccleston left the show for “confidential” reasons.
The drama originally starred Eccleston as a former policeman who protected a vulnerable family from a serial killer in his Lake District guest house. More than 6m tuned in for each episode and the broadcaster recently confirmed work was underway on a second series.
However in June the Radio Times reported that Eccleston had left the show and ITV has now confirmed a new cast line-up and location for the series which will return next year.
True Blood star Stephen Moyer will now appear as “charismatic yet impulsive ex-police officer Tom Brook” who runs a police safe house in Anglesey.
He’ll be joined by Zoe Tapper as Tom’s partner Sam, Dervla Kirwan, Jason Watkins, Ashley Walters, Sunetra Sarker, Sacha Parkinson and Joel MacCormack.
Tom and Sam’s world is turned upside down when news of a shocking crime breaks. Years previously Tom investigated a series of abductions perpetrated by an assailant known as ‘The Crow’, who took wives away from husbands as they helplessly watched.
On hearing breaking news of a crime bearing the same hallmarks Tom immediately goes to the crime scene, revealing to the police that terrifyingly he believes ‘The Crow’ is active again…
The show is being produced for ITV by Eleventh Hour Films and is written by Ed Whitmore and Tracey Malone. Filming begins in Wales, Liverpool and Manchester later this month.
“We’re delighted to be working on a brand new series of Safe House with Eleventh Hour Films,” said Victoria Fea, ITV’s Controller of Drama.
“The format lends itself beautifully to creating a suspenseful drama with a new set of characters in a new safe house.
“As always Ed and Tracey’s scripts are gripping and compelling with twists and turns that shock and take you by surprise.”
Jill Green at Eleventh Hour Films: added: “It’s brilliant to have enticed Stephen back to the UK for a completely new Safe House and thrilling story, proving the power of the brand.”