ITV and Tall Story Pictures have announced The Man, a new drama from writer Mike Bartlett (Doctor Foster, The Town) and director Julia Ford (Safe).
Starring Ken Nwosu (Christopher Robin, Killing Eve, An Octoroon at the National Theatre) in the lead role of Thomas Benson, the three-part psychological drama is focused on the competitive world of middle management.
Set in a business park in Reading, it centres on the personal and professional life of Benson; a hard-working father and husband. Reliant on bonuses and winning pitches, Benson often finds himself leading the team when trying to win new business. When he freezes during a pitch the fall out is monumental.
Determined to win back the client Thomas goes to increasingly desperate lengths to remain successful. But as he does, he begins to feel undermined, under attack and out of control. Has he lost his confidence and just feeling paranoid or is his own team, and maybe the wider world, now out to get him?
Executive Producer, Catherine Oldfield, said: “After the success of Trauma, I’m delighted to be reunited with Mike to work on The Man for ITV. Mike’s created a fantastically taut, contemporary thriller about bullying.
“Given the current climate, it feels exactly the right time to explore something that affects so many people, all with Mike’s brilliant ability to mix dark humour with intense paranoia to dramatic effect.
“I can’t wait to see the hugely talented Ken bring Thomas to life”
Mike Bartlett added: “Having written about bullying in the workplace previously for the stage, it feels fantastic to tell a new story that explores the potential cruelty of commercial competition, and the effect that has on our psychology, and humanity.”
ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill said: “The Man is another gripping story by Mike, that explores the complex subject of workplace bullying. It brilliantly moves between being very funny to very painful, and will have viewers hooked.
“I am also delighted that the very talented Ken Nwosu is playing Thomas and that Julia Ford is directing. Together with Tall Story, this is a fantastic team that promises to make an unmissable drama.”
The series begins filming in September 2018.
