The Loch Production Notes FINAL - itv.com · Cast Interviews 8 -23 ... , Titanic: Blood and Steel,...
Transcript of The Loch Production Notes FINAL - itv.com · Cast Interviews 8 -23 ... , Titanic: Blood and Steel,...
Contents
PressRelease 3- 4
ForewordbyTimHaines(executiveproducer) 5
CharacterBiographies 6- 7
CastInterviews 8- 23
EpisodeSynopses 24- 27
CastandProductionCredits 28- 29
BackPage 30
***ContentsofthispackarestrictlyembargoeduntilThursday 1June0001hrs***
NewsixpartmurdermysterythrillerTheLoch from ITVStudios
Thebeautiful,hauntingshoresofScotland’smosticoniclochisthestunningbackdropfornewsix-partdrama,TheLochwhichisproducedbyITVStudios.
AcclaimedactorsLauraFraser(HoudiniandDoyle,TheMissing,Peter&Wendy),SiobhanFinneran(HappyValley,Benidorm,DowntonAbbey)andJohnSessions(UpstartCrow,FlorenceFosterJenkins,TheRackPack)starinthenewseriesalongsideDonGilét (BriefEncounters,HolbyCity,EastEnders),GrayO'Brien(TheDanielConnection,Titanic:BloodandSteel,CoronationStreet)andWilliamAsh(TheTunnel,MovingOn,DeathinParadise).
Inacommunitynourishedandsustainedbymythandborderedbyuntamednature,thesearchforaserialkillerbecomesamatteroflifeanddeathforlocaldetectiveAnnieRedford(playedbyLauraFraser)whoistryingtocopewithherfirstmurdercase.WhenthebodyoflocalmanNiallSwiftisfoundatthefootofCarnMohrMountainandanisolatedhumanheartonthelochshore,thetown’snormalityisshatteredandthenightmarebegins.Chillingly,Thebeautifulscenery,undulatinghighlandsandvastexpansivelochbecomesacharacterinit’sownrightaddingahauntingdepthtothecommunity’splight.
WrittenbyStephenBrady(Fortitude,Vera,SilentWitness)andoverseenbyITVStudiosCreativeDirectorforDramaandExecutiveProducerTimHaines(Beowulf,Primeval,Sinbad),TheLochintroducesAnnieandherfamily– husbandAlan(playedbyGrayO’Brien),atourboatoperatoronthelochandtheironlychildEvie,whoat18,isabouttoleavehomeforAustralia.TheRedford’sareanordinarylovingfamilywithanordinarysetofproblems,yetthepressureofamurderinvestigationwillunderminetheirstabilityandcreatetensionsthatthreatentodisruptanddestroytheirlivestogether.Withinthetightlyknitcommunity,severallocalcharacterswillcomeundersuspicionasthemonsterlurkingintheirmidstbeginstoterrifyandrockthevillagetoitscore.
ExecutiveproducerTimHainescommented:“Serialkillersaremonstersthatliebeneaththesurfaceofnormalhappycommunities.Wherebettertohuntforonethaninaplacethathasthrivedoffitsownmonstermythforcenturies- LochNess.”
TheLochhasbeencommissionedforITVbyformerDramaCommissionerSteveNovemberandDramaCommissionerJaneHudson.
WorkingalongsideExecutiveProducerTimHaines,AlanJ(Willy)Wands(JonathanStrangeandMrNorrell,Stonemouth,TheFieldofBloodWhiskyGalore!)producesTheLochwithBrianKelly(DowntonAbbey,Outlander,Dracula,Lewis)asleaddirector.CillaWarewillalsodirecttheseries.TheLochisdistributedinternationallybyITVStudiosGlobalEntertainment.
TheLochfilmedintheHighlandsofScotlandduringthesummerof2016andissupportedbyCreativeScotland’sProductionGrowthFund.
RobbieAllen,SeniorScreenExecutiveatCreativeScotlandsaid:“CreativeScotlandisdelightedtohaveworkedwithITVStudiosonthisthrillingmurdermystery,setontheshoresofLochNess.TheProductionGrowthFundhasallowedustobringanotherhigh-profiletelevisionproductiontoScotland,furtherdevelopingScotland’sreputationasakeyfilmingdestinationwhereproductionscanbenefitfromworkingwithourworldclasscraftandtechnicaltalent.”
NotetoEditors:
AboutCreativeScotland
TheLochwhichfilmedintheHighlandsofScotlandduring2016issupportedbyCreativeScotland’sProductionGrowthFund,whichaimstoattractandgrowfilmproductioninScotland,creatingemploymentopportunities,encouragingtheuseofproductionfacilitiescompaniesanddeliveringsignificanteconomicbenefit.RecentproductionsalsosupportedbyCreativeScotland’sProductionGrowthFundincludetheITVseriesMuncieproducedbyWorldProductions.
PresscontactsforITV:
JoBlanket,02071573011/[email protected]
PicturecontactforITV:PatrickSmith,02071573044/[email protected]
IntroductionTimHaines,executiveproducer
TraditionallytheHighlandlochshavebeenanevocativesourceofmysteryanddarksecrets.Intheirpeatydepthstheyhavehiddenallsortsofnightmaresthatinvariouswayscanbevisitedonthepeoplewholiveontheirshores.Ofcoursenowadaysallthismythandlegendstuffisstrictlyforthetourists.Lochsaresimply,emptycoldplacestobeenjoyedfortheirstarkbeauty.Butwhatifonedidholdadarksecret.Oneputtherebyamoderndaymonster.‘TheLoch’openswithabodyweigheddowninitsdepths– heisthefirstvictimofaserialkiller.
ThiswasthestartingpointforthewriterStephenBrady.Thebodyanditsrelationshiptothekillerformthecoreofthissix-partmurdermystery.AsthebodyishiddenbeneaththesurfaceofLochNesstheresidentsofthelocaltownofLochnefoyareblissfullyunawareofitspresence,justastheyhavenoideathattheyhavearuthlesskillerintheirmidst.However,theapparentHighlandidleofLochnefoy isrockedwhenasecondbodyappearsandafullmurderinvestigationgetsunderway.LikeeveryoneinthecommunitycopAnnieRedfordfindsithardtobelievethisishappeninginhertown.GlasgowdetectiveLaurenQuigleyisbroughtintoheaduptheinvestigationandsheisundernoillusionaboutthedarkersideofhumannature.Soonthesecretsbeginningtobubbletosurfaceastheyexposethecover-upsandliesthateventuallyleadAnnieandLaurentothekiller.
Centraltotheatmosphereandtoneof‘TheLoch’istheplaceitself.SetaroundtheshoresofLochNesstheseriescontraststhedarkdeedsofhumanswiththebeautyofthesetting.Fromaproductionpointofview,weweredeterminedtosetasmuchaspossibleintheHighlandseventhoughitwastoughtofindeverythingweneededroundtheLochitself.ProducerAlanJWandsoversawaScottishteamthatworkedoverthesummerof2016betweentheHighlandsandstudiosjustoutsideGlasgow.TogetherwithdesignerAndyHarris,theycreatedStephen’svisionofanaïvecommunitythatforyearshasthrivedonpretendstoriesofmonstersonlytobefacedwitharealone.ThebeautifulFortAugustusisthelocationforthefictionaltownofLochnefoywhilstthewildcountrysideoftheseriesispickedfromacrosstheHighlands.
AstrongScottishcastisledbyLauraFraserwhobringsawarmthbutsteelinesstoherroleasourheroinecopAnnie.WhileSiobhanFinneranisDCIQuigley,theoutsiderwhoknowsherkillerisprobablyhidinginplainsight.Thesetwoformanunlikelyteamasfirstayoungmangoesmissingandthenthetownisswampedwhentheworld’spresshearsthereisa‘real’monsteratLochNess.
DirectedbyBrianKellyandCillaWaretheactionswirlsaroundthelochasthepressureofguilttearsthecommunityapart.MeanwhilethebodyintheLochremainsundiscoveredholdingontoitsgrimsecretuntiltheveryend.
AnnieRedfordplayedbyLauraFraserAnnieisadedicatedbutdissatisfiedDetectiveSergeantworkingintheruralcommunityof Lochanfoy.Sheisawifeandmothertoateenagedaughterbuthersafeworldbeginstounravelwhenthetownisthreatenedbyaseriesofsinistermurders.
LaurenQuigleyplayedbySiobhanFinneranBrightandforthright,sheisasinglemindedcareerofficer,whoisefficient,focusedandunimpededbysentimentifitmeansgettingthejobdone,butthereisabigheartsomewhereinsideahardshell.ShewantstogetthekillercaughtandbacktoGlasgowtosecurethepromotionshe'sbeenworkingtowardsherentirecareer.
FrankSmilie playedbyJohnSessionsTraditional,oldschoolcop,onthevergeofretirement.He'lldoanythingforaquietlifeandhelooksafterhisown,evenifitmeansbendingtherules.HewasQuigley'ssuperiorwhenshejoinedtheforce.Nowthey'reequals.TwoChiefs,oneterritory.
BlakeAlbrightonplayedbyDonGilétAnattractive,flirtatious,highlyintelligentforensicpsychologist,whosearrogancemasksadeepchildhoodwound.Duetotheunusualnatureofthemurder,hehasbeenseconded tothecasebyDCIQuigley. Someofficersseehimmoreashindrancethanhelpastheyembarkontheirsearchofthekiller.
AlanRedfordplayedbyGray O’BrienHeisalocal'Nessie'tourboatoperatorandhusbandtoAnnie,whomheadores.However,asAnnie'sinvolvementtheinthecaseintensifies,Alanfindshimselfbecomingmoreandmoreestrangedfromhiswife.
EvieRedfordplayedbyShonaMcHughAnnieandAlan'sspiritedteenagedaughter.AteenageprankputsEvieandherpalsonthepoliceradar. Herrebelliousnatureanddesiretofindoutwhat'shappenedtoherfriendputsherindeadlydanger.
LeightonThomasplayedbyWilliamAshAdamaged,brittle,frustratedmanseekingrehabilitationinthesmalltown.Thetragiceventsremindhimofapasthe'dratherforget,apastthatalsomakeshimaprimesuspect.
PCJasonDennyAyoungofficer,stillwetbehindtheearsandalthoughJasonisnotthekeenestofminds, heiseagertolearnandalwayshaspeople'sbestinterestsatheart.
KieranWhiteheadKieranisoneofEvie'sfriendsfromcollege.He'squickwitted, good-lookingandhelpshismotherBeacareforhisbedriddenbrotherwho'ssufferingfromlocked-insyndrome. Hecarrieshisresponsibilitywithhumourandgrace,furtherfuellingEvie'scrushonhim.
Character Biographies
Jonjo PattersonFriendto EvieandKieranandthejokerofthegroup.HisparentsKenandNicoleruntheabattoirand,likemanyteenagers,hehasatendencytopushthemtotheirlimits.Jonjo suffersfrombi-polardisorderwhich,whenheneglectshismedication,canresultinerraticbehaviour.
KenPattersonRunsthelocalabbatoir,fathertoJonjo,husbandtoNicole.Hisbusinessisstruggling.Eventsrelatingtothemurdercouldfinishitaltogether.Hesoonrealiseshisbusinessistheleastofhisworries.
NicolePattersonMothertoJonjo.Nicoleis adetermined,intelligentwomanwhohelps runherhusbandKen'sbusinessandalsoworksasaprobationofficer.
BeaWhiteheadAqualifiednurse,now,withKieran'shelp,fulltimecarertohersonJordanwhosuffersfromlocked-insyndrome.ShemovedhersonstoLochnafoy twoyearsearlier,tomakeafreshstart.Beaisakind,gentlewomanwhowoulddoanythingforhersons.
JordanWhiteheadWhenJordansufferedfromananeurysmthedoctorsexpectedhimtorecover.Insteadherelapsedintolocked-insyndrome.Hehasanawarenessoftheworldbutiscompletelyunabletomoveandreliantonthecareofhisbrotherandmother.
DrSimonMarrSimonisthelocaldoctorandhasbeenrecentlywidowed.Likeeveryoneinthetown,Marrhastruthsabouthispasthewouldpreferremainundiscovered.
CraigPetrieCraigistheHeadofLochnafoycollege.Heisanaccomplishedacademic,exceptionallyeruditewithapropensityforarrogance.Hehastwokidsheadores.
KirstyPetrieKirstyismarriedtoCraigPetrie.Theirsisacomplicatedrelationshipwhichunderthemicroscopeoftheinvestigationbeginstocrack.
NiallSwiftThelocalpianoteacher. Inthetwelvemonthshe'sbeeninLochnafoyhe'sworkedhardtomakehimselfpartofthecommunitybut,despiteappearances,feelshiseffortshaveneverbeenreciprocated.
Character Biographiescontinued
Castinterviews
LauraFraserplaysAnnieRedford
CanyoutelluswhatdrewyoutoTheLoch?
“I’dhadfouryearsofworkingawayfromhomesothefactitwassetandfilmedinScotlandwasahugedraw.ThenwhenIreadthescriptsIwasfascinatedbyalltheanimalsymbolism.There’stheLochNessmonster,wolves,crowsandtheoddmutilatedsheep.AllthisinterestingimagerythatIfeltwasquiteunusual.
“IalsolikedthecharacterofAnnie,thevillagecopworkingonherfirstmurdercase.Sheisfulltothebrimofpent-uppotentialshehasnevergottousebefore.She’sontheedgeandcouldgoeitherway.Ifthiscasehadn’tcomeupthatpotentialmighthaveturnedtobitterness.Soalthoughno-onewantstoseeamurder,forherasapoliceofficeritenableshertofocusherenergiesandstartlearninghowtobecomeaproperdetective.
“Itwasalsointerestingthewayshemakesmistakesandisoverwhelmedbyitalittlebit.Notknowingwhat’stherightwaytogoaboutthings.Becauseshe’sneverdoneitbefore,eventhoughsheis40yearsold.”
Sopreviously,hasAnniehadtocontendwithsomelessthanchallengingpolicejobs?
“Whenyou’re20youcanhandlethat.Maybeyougetaweebitgrumpybutyoucandealwithit.Butwhenyou’re40andyouknowyoucandomuchmoreitisveryfrustratingandalittlehumiliating.
“Anniehadopportunitiesearlierinherlife.ShecouldhavegonetoabiggercitylikeGlasgowandprogressedinhercareer.Butshechosenotto.InsteadoftakingresponsibilityforthatIthinksheblamesherhusbandAlanfornotsupportingher.
“Althoughthat’snotreallyfair.Itwasherowndecision.Andatthesametimeshe’shadanicelifeinthevillage.SheandAlanarefairlycontented.Theyhavealaughandagiggle.Everybodyknowsherandit’shercommunity.Whichmakesitalltheworsewhenthisdevastationripsthroughthatcommunity.”
DoesAnnieknowsecretsaboutcertainpeopleinhercommunity?
“Yesshedoes.Itmustmakeitsostrangebeingacopinasmallvillagewhenyouknoweverybodyandyouknoweverybody’ssecrets.Youaretheholderofallthisinformationandyoucan’teventellyourfamily.Ithinkthat’simpressivebutalsoquitealienatingtobeinthatsituation.”
HowdoesAnniegetonwiththeincomingEnglishpolicebossDCILaurenQuigleyfromGlasgow?
“AtfirstAnnieisdesperatetoimpressQuigley.SheadmiresandrespectsQuigley’sworkethicandwantstobothproveherselftoherandlearnfromher.Butatthesametimesheiswrong-footedandcompromised.Anniefeelsmisunderstoodandmisrepresented.ThenlateronQuigleygrowstolikeandrespectAnnie.EverysceneIhadwithSiobhan,Icouldn’tstoplaughing.She’sjustsohilarious.Icouldn’tkeepittogether.”
DoesTheLochaskthequestion:‘Whoistherealmonster?’
“Thewolf,inparticular,representswild,brutalviolence.Thebeastwithin.Everybodyhastheirownshadow.Theshadowwithin.Ifindallofthatreallyinteresting.Maybeitexplainswhyweallliketoreadorwatchdarkstories.Sometimespeoplewanttolookatmonstersandholdthedarknessupinthelight.Thenputitawaysafely.
“We’reallhumanbeingsandsomearecapableoftrulyhideousacts.Aswellasbeautifulacts.It’squitescarywhenyoulookatwhatpeoplearecapableof.”
Onecharacterdescribesthecommunityasagroupofpeopledrawntogetherbylies.Whatdidyouthinkaboutthat?
“Ilikethatideaofapaper-thinveneerofcivilisation.Andwhenthatissuddenlyrippedapartbythesemurdersit’sshocking.Buttherearethingspre-emptingheroutlookanddemeanour.LiketheselittlerupturesoccurringalreadyinAnnie’slife.Therepressedresentmentatherhusband,thedevastationaboutherdaughterwhowantstomovetoAustralia.
“WheretheyliveintheGreatGleninLochNessisactuallyanactivefaultline.Atonepointtherewasanearthquakethere.Allofthatmakesitreallyinteresting.Alloftheselittleripplesandthenthelochasacharacterinitself.Itaffectseveryone.”
LauraFraser interviewcontinued
HadyoubeentoLochNessbefore?
“I’dneverbeentoLochNessbefore.AndI’dneverbeentoalotoftheplaceswewentto.Whichisdisgraceful.OrifIdid,Ididn’trememberbecauseIwasprobablyjustayoungchild.TheGreatGlenwasimpressive.AndIreallylovedGlencoe.ItwaswheretheyshotSkyfall.It’sthemostbeautifulplaceI’veeverbeentoinmylife.Ithought,‘OhmyGod,thishasbeenhereallalong.It’sridiculousIhaven’tbeenherebefore.’”
DoyoubelieveinNessie,theLochNessmonster?
“It’sabitlikeatoothfairy,isn’tit?Idon’tthinkanyonereallybelievesit’sreal,dothey?AhundredyearsagoIwoulddefinitelyhavebelieved.Buttoday?Sadlyno.”
WefirstseeAnnieinanicecurlingscene.Hadyoubeencurlingbefore?
“No,never!Ithoughtitwasgoingtoabitdull.ButIactuallygotreallyintoitandthoughtI’dwanttodothis.Althoughitinvolvessettingupawholeteam,hiringalaneandmakingitaveryregularthing.SothenIthought,‘Och,that’snevergoingtohappen.’ButIdidloveit.
“Theymadeustakeaverylonglessonbeforeweevergotontheice.Theguyteachinguswassosweet.It’saveryinterestingsport.There’ssomethingsocleanandsatisfyingaboutglidingontheice.”
Anniegetsveryangryinonescene?Whatmakesyouangryinlife?
“Thatwasagreatscene.Ireallyenjoyeddoingthat.Annieissoupsetonsomanyfronts.InreallifeI’mveryirritable,asmyhusbandwilltestify.Toomuchcoffeesetsmeoffbutitdoesn’tstopmedrinkingit.AtthedropofahatIcangetveryannoyedandirritated.WalkingalongthestreetifsomeonebumpsintomeorIbumpintothem,ofcourseit’stheirfaultandnotmine.Iangerveryquickly.”
TheLochisdirectedbyBrianKellyandCillaWare.WhatdifferencedoesagooddirectormaketoaTVdrama?
“Agooddirectorcreatesanatmospherewhereyoufeelrelaxedandconcentratedenoughtodoyourbestwork.Youcan’tperformwellifyou’renotfeelingcomfortableintheenvironment.Youhavetofeelreasonablysafeandthatno-oneisgoingtogetlaughedatorshoutedat.Creatingthatatmosphereisveryimportant.Alongwithbeingallowedenoughtimetohaveatleasttwoorthreetakes.Notfeelingrushed.Creatinganatmospherewhereeverybodythinkseverybody’sjobmatters.”
Whenyou’rewatchingawhodunitonTV,areyougoodatspottingthekiller?
“Iamtheworst.Iamabsolutelyhopelessandhonestlycanwatchsomethingforasecondtimeandstillnotknow.Icanre-watchsomethingforgettingwehadalreadyseenitayearbefore.Thengettothelastpartandstillcan’trememberwhodidit.”
LauraFraser interviewcontinued
YoumustbepleasedathowmanyscreendramasarenowbeingfilmedinScotland?
“Iwasquitesurprised.ImovedbackfromAmericaayearagoandwaslongingtobehomeandbewithmyfamilyafterfouryearsoflivinginAmerica.Ithoughtitwouldn’tbeasbusyforworkandI’llprobablyhavetotravelquiteabitinEurope.ButactuallytherehasbeensomuchworkinScotlandandI’vefeltsolucky.Ihopeitcontinues.”
What’snext?
“I’mhopingtotakeatleastthreemonthsoffandjustdonormalthingsliketakingmydaughtertoschoolandallthenormalmumthingsI’vebeenmissingforacoupleofyears.Sothat’smybigplan.”
LauraFraser interviewcontinued
SiobhanFinneranplaysLaurenQuigley
CanyoutelluswhatdrewyoutoTheLoch?
“IreceivedthefirstthreescriptsandIreallyenjoyedreadingthem.IwasintriguedandexcitedaboutthecharacterandI’dworkedwiththedirectorBrianKellybeforeonDowntonAbbey.I’dheardverygoodthingsabouttheproducerWillyWandsandI’vealwaysbeenamassivefanofLauraFraserandheracting.Sothatwasawinningcombinationforme.”
“Ireallyenjoyedthattheserieshasalotofcharactersdealingwithdemons.It’saverysmallcommunitywithalotofpeoplewithpersonalproblems.Thenwhenthisinvestigationstartsafterthefirstmurdercomestolight,that’swhyweendupwithsomanysuspectsbecausetherearepeople- asalwaysineverywalkoflife- dealingwithawholeloadofstuffyouneversee.
“Allthevillagehasseenuptothenissimplypeoplegettingonwiththeirlivesandgettingby.Thensuddenlythisinvestigationtakesusbehindtheclosedfrontdoors.
WhoisDCILaurenQuigley?
“LaurenQuigleyisaverysmartwomanandaverygoodcopper.ShehasworkedherwayupthroughtherankstonowbeaDCI.ShearrivesinLochnafoywantingtogetthejobdoneassoonaspossible.BackinGlasgow,wheresheisbased,sheisworkingtowardsapromotionasSuperintendent.Sothisjobisabitofaninconvenienceforher.
Castinterviews
“ThereisalsoahistorywiththelocalpolicechiefinspectorFrankSmilie,playedbyJohnSessions.Theycrossedpathswhenshewasyoungerandtheydon’thaveaverygoodrelationship.Soshearrivesinthevillagetodealwithadeadbodyanddoesn’tthinkmuchofthelocalvillagebobbies.Shebringsherownteamwithher,includingforensicpsychologistBlakeAlbrighton,playedbyDonGilét,whoshealsoahistorywith.
“QuigleyneedssomeonelocaltohelpthemoutandseesinAnniesomebodywhocouldhavebeenpotentiallylikeher.Annieisagood,smartdetectiveandknowsthearea.Andthisisthefirstbigcaseshe’sgottoworkon.Eventuallyshedevelopsafriendshipwithherandarespectforthecommunity.Theexperiencesshehastherechangethewayshefeelsaboutherjob.
“ThefactQuigleyisEnglishalsomakesamassivedifference.She’sacompleteoutsider.WhileFrankSmilie isn’tbestpleasedtoseeheragain,there’salsolocalpoliceresentmentthatit’sassumedtheycan’tdealwiththiscaseontheirown.They’reallcompletelycompetentbuttheyhaveneverhadanythinglikethistodealwith.SoQuigleycomesinasabitofawhirlwind.”
IsQuigleynotafanofthebeautyofnatureandthecountryside?
“I’mplayingherasifshe’sfromManchester.Shewillhavebeenbroughtupnearcountrysidebutit’sjustoneofthosethings.ShehasobviouslybeenacitygirlandisnowlivingandworkinginGlasgow.Sonotafanofthecountryside.
“Itisreallybeautifulwherewefilmed.Speakingformyself,IcanappreciateitsbeautybutIwouldn’twanttolookatitallofthetime.Iremembermymumsayingtomeyearsandyearsago,‘Don’tmovefarawayfromabusroute.’AndIwaslike,‘Whatareyoutalkingabout?’WeweremovingandIwaslookingathousesontopofhills.
“Butit’strue.Especiallywhenyouhaveteenagers.Theycangettoplaces.It’snotalwayshavingtogetinthecar.Icanunderstandthejoyoflivingsomewhereremoteandthatamountofpeaceandquiet.IlikebeingwhereIambecauseI’vegotthat.ButIcanalsogotothecityquickly.”
Weretheexteriorfilminglocationschallenging?
“TheweatherwasactuallymorechallenginginJulythanitwasinSeptember.Whenweshotsomeofthestuffonthetopofthecairntheweatherwashorrendous.Andthen,ofcourse,inSeptemberwehadtheseglorioussunshinefilleddayswhenwewereusuallyinthestudio.
“Butthey’reveryusedtoitupthere,asamIcomingfromthenorthofEngland.Rain,snow,abitofsunshineandhailallinthespaceofacoupleofhours.”
HadyoubeentoLochNessbefore?
“No,IhadneverbeentoLochNessbefore.IspentalotoftimebasedinGlasgowhavingneverbeenupthereforanylengthoftime.It’sbeenoneofmyfavouriteplacestoeverwork.Iabsolutelylovedit.
SiobhanFinneran interviewcontinued
“I’vegotalotoffriendsinScotlandthatI’veaccumulatedoverthepast10years.SoImanagedtohavelovelylunchdatesandthingslikethatwithpeopleupthere.IjustlovedGlasgowasacity.ItremindsmeofManchester.AndIthoughtthatwasanotherreasonwhyQuigleywouldhavemovedthere.It’snotdissimilar.
“IfoundGlasgowareallyfabulous,friendlycitytobein.Thearchitectureisgorgeous.ThedriversusedtolaughatmebecauseI’dgetbackinthevanonaMondaymorninggoingintoworkandthey’dbelike,‘Wheredidyouwalktothisweekend?’
“BecauseIwouldjustsetoffandwalkabout.IjustlovedthearchitectureofnearlyallofthebuildingsinGlasgow.IwillgoandvisitGlasgowalotmore.
“Alotofmyfriendstherearemake-upladiesandcrewmembersI’veworkedwithovertheyears.WhenIworkedonBenidormwehadamassiveScottishcontingencyonourcrew.SoalotofthemhavebecomefriendsandIsawthemlotswhilstthere.”
DoyoubelieveinNessie?
“There’salwaysthatlittlebitofyouthatgoes,‘Iwishthatwasreal.’Butifitwaseverproventhenthewholethingwouldbedestroyed.It’slikethetoothfairy.It’snicetohavethemagicofallthat.Butifyousitdownandexaminethehardfactsyouthink,‘Don’tberidiculous.’”
Whatwasitlikeworkingwithothercastmembers?
“IworkedmostlywithLauraFraserandwithDonGilét andwejusthadareallygreattime.Weallgotonreallywellwhich,hopefully,willcomeacross.
“Ilaughedlikeadrainmostofthetime.ButIdothatatworkanyway.IfI’mnotdoingthatatworkI’mreallyfedup.LauraandDon,allofus,evenondaysthatwerestressfulwemanagedtohavefunattheendofit.Whichsometimeswhenthesubjectmatterisquitebleakisabitoflightrelief.”
Onecharacter,haswhataredescribedas‘Krakatoa’moments.Isthereanythingthatmakesyoureallyangryinlife?
“Injusticemakesmeangry.I’mnotanangryhumanbeing.Butanykindofinjustice,whetheritbeachildbeingblamedforsomethingthey’venotdonetohugeissuesofblame,orpeoplejustbeingblamedforbeingthemselves.Thatupsetsme.Peoplenotbeingfair.
“I’vegotalotofroadrage.Butthat’sanotherstory.Peoplegetangrybehindthewheel,whichisnotgood.ButifI’vegotnicemusiconinthecarI’musuallyfine.”
SiobhanFinneran interviewcontinued
JohnSessionsplaysFrankSmilie
CanyoutelluswhatattractedyoutoTheLoch?
“I’dneverdoneanythinglikethisbefore.IwasveryattractedbythefactSiobhanFinneranwasdoingit.Ithinksheisamarvellous actressandis,asitturnsout,anabsolutedelighttoworkwith.Alovelywoman.Reallydowntoearth,nononsense.Andterriblygood.It’sbeenabitofanactinglessonworkingwithher,tobehonest.Becauseyoudon’tseeanyactingvisible.IhadalsoworkedwithlovelyLauraFraser20yearsagoanditwasgreattobebackwithher.”
FrankSmilie appearstohavebeennamedwithacertainamountofirony?
“Frankisaseenitall,doneitallcopper.He’squitechauvinistandcliqueyandveryoldschool.Isupposehe’swhatyouwouldcallabitofacurmudgeon.
“ThenDCILaurenQuigley,playedbySiobhanFinneran,isbroughtin.Awoman,English,hasherownwayofdoingthings.Thiswomandisturbshimbecauseshealsoknowshispast.He’snotcrazyabouther.FrankwashersergeantwhenshefirststartedandQuigleyhassinceflownuptheranks.
“Shebringsthisotherblokein- BlakeAlbrighton,playedbyDonGilét whowenttouniversity,isclever,intoallthispsycho-babblethatFrankthinksisallaloadofnonsenseand,ontopofitall,isgoodlooking.PressingallofFrank’sbuttons.ThenBlakechucksinafirecracker,whichisjustaboutitforFrank.
Castinterviews
“Frankisoldschool.He’sthatalphamaleinside.SomebodyreferstoFrankasa‘silverback’.Whichmeanshe’sagorilla.BlakeissmartandfullofinformationthatFrankknowsnothingabout.AlbrightonisascaremongerasfarasFrankisconcerned.Suddenlytheworld’spressarrivesandFrankisabsolutelyincandescent.Hestillhastolivethereaftertherestoftheworldhasgone.”
SowouldyoudescribeFrankasanangryman?
“FrankhaswhatarecalledKrakatoamoments.Whenheshoutspeoplejump.Hecanbeterrifyingtotheyoungerrecruits.TheclockistickingforFrank.Partofhimiswaitingforthatpension.Hemoansallthetime.
“Frankisknowntocutcorners.Thereistheworld’swayandthereisFrank’sway.He’sasmoke-filledbackroomuntilfourinthemorningkindofaguy.Hetakespeopleintocorridorsandholdsthemupagainstthewall.IthinkwecanassumeFrankcanlookafterhimself.”
AreappearancesimportanttoFrank?
“HehasphotosofhimselfwithGordonBrownandRoryMcIlroyondisplayinhisoffice.WhichIguesssayssomethingabouthim.Appearancesareimportanttohim.Buthedoesn’tgotobarbecueswiththem.He’sabigfishinasmallpond.Lochnafoy isnotMiamiVice.Therearefishinginfractions,drivingandparkingoffences.Theyhaveneverhadaserialkilleruntilnow.”
YouleftScotlandagedtwoorthreebutstillidentifystronglywiththecountry.HadyoubeentoLochNessbefore?
“IhadneverbeentoLochNessbefore.SoI’mnotaNessieexpertatall.Ithinktodayit’smoreofanentertainingmyth.Unlessyou’rerunningatourboatcompany.Butit’sgreatsomanydramasarefilminginScotlandnow.”
Isthechoiceoflocationimportant?
“AlanWandsourproducerwasverykeentogiveasenseofplaceandofacommunity.Obviouslyeverybodyknowseverybodyelse’sbusiness.ThenLaurenQuigleycomesinanddoesn’ttreaddelicately.
“It’spartofthedramatoindicatethismonsterisn’tinthelochbutinthecommunity.Whoisthemonster?Whoisthekiller?You’vegottorememberthat50percentoftheworkisbeingdonebytheviewer.Thelastthingyoumustdoisplantreal,incontrovertibleseedsintheirmind.You’vegottokeepthemguessing.Hopefullywedothat.
“ThegreatthingaboutAlanisheissoexperienced.Hehasareallygoodgraspofwhathewantsoutofaseries.Andhewillgetthatbytalkingprincipallytothedirectors.Hehasproducedsomuchovertheyearsthathejustknowshisjob.He’sveryclearaboutwhathewantsandheknowshowtomakegoodtelevision.”
JohnSessionsinterviewcontinued
Gray O’BrienplaysAlanRedford
CanyoutelluswhatappealedtoyouaboutTheLoch?
“Ihadn’tworkedwiththedirectorBrianKellybeforebutI’dheardalotabouthim.IwalkedintomeetBrianandwereallyhititoff.ThecharacterwastotallydifferentformebecauseIdon’treallyplaythosekindofpeople.WehadadiscussionaboutAlanRedfordbeingimportantintherespecthiswifeisapoliceofficerandheispartofthelocalcommunity.Andyetheisapart.
“Withoutquestion,everyoneofthose20principalcastthoughtthosefirstscriptswerereallyexciting.That’swhyIwantedtodoit.It’salsofilmedinbeautifulcountrysidewithanalmostdreamcastwithlotsofpeopleI’dwantedtoworkwithinthepastorhadalreadyworkedwith.Areallygoodensemble.”
WhoisAlanRedford?
“AlanwasbornandbredinLochnafoy.He’saHighlanderfromthatarea.HeandAnnielivearelativelysimplelifetogether.AlanhashisownboatanddoesboattoursfortouristslookingforNessie.WhileourdaughterEvieisateenagerwhoisabouttogoonatriptoAustralia.
“Hisboathassonarandallthethingsthetouristscomefor.That’shisbreadandbutter.”
Castinterviews
ComingfromGlasgow,didyouknowtheareawell?
“IknowalotofthatareabutI’dneverbeentoLochNess.WhenIwasyoungerIusedtoclimbalotofMunros.AMunroisanythingover3000feet.IthinkIclimbedabout58whenIwasyounger.SoIknewthesurroundingareaquitewellbuthadneveractuallybeentoLochNess.WeshotalotinGlencoe,whichIknowwell.IncludingGlenEtivewhereIcampedalmosteveryotherweekendfromtheageof15or16.
“LochNesswasquiteaneye-openerforme.I’veneverbeenasailororbeeninwateragreatdeal.Wespentseveraldaysfilmingontheloch.Theamazingthingwiththatistheboatchanges,itmovesallofthetimewiththeswell.Soitchangesdirectionevenwhenit’snotgoingforward.Andthelightandcloudcomesin.Soeachofthosehillschangesconstantly.
“Itwasalmostlikeseeingtimelapsephotographyhappeninrealtime.Thecloudsmovingoverandthecolours changing.Itwasquiteincredible.You’reinthecentreofthelochandit’squiteaview.Justbeautiful.
“Wedidn’thavethebestluckintheworldwiththeweather.ItrainedagreatdeallastsummerinScotland.ItwasaverywetsummercomparedtothesouthofEngland,whichhaditreallysunny.Butitwasjustgreat.Beautiful.
“Mostofthetimewewereouttheregettingsoaked.Thereweretwoorthreedayswhereallwecoulddowasshootrain.Becausethat’sallwehad.Butgenerallywhathappensisitstartsrainingsoyoustartshootinginrain.Thenitstopsandthesuncomesout.Sowehaveblueskyandthecloudshavegone.Nothingmatchesonscreenanditjustlookslikeyou’reshootingindifferentplaces.Soyouhavetoavoidthathappening.”
WasitdifficultfilmingaboardAlan’sLochNessMonsterhuntingboat?
“Theguywhoownedtheboat,Ally,hadjustpickeditupafewdaysbefore.Itwasn’tabrandnewboatbutitwasnewerthantheonehehadandbiggerandfaster.AndAlan’sfictionaljobisexactlywhathedid.HeisatouroperatoronLochNess.
“IwasquicklytaughthowtonavigatetheboatbuttherewasonepointwhereWillAsh,whoplaysanothertourboatskipperLeightonThomas,andIhadtosailquiteclosetoeachother.Allysaid,‘Ionlygottheboattwodaysago.Couldyoubeverycareful,please!’Thankfullytherewerenomishaps.Itwasgreatfun.”
DolotsofforeigntouristsstillgotoLochNessinsearchofthemonster?
“It’simportantforAlantosellthatmake-believe.That’shisbusiness.Apparentlyonlymonthsagotherewerethreesealsswimmingtogetherandonsonaritlookedlikethreehumps.Soitstillfoolspeopletothisday.There’snowayAlancansaytothetouristsit’sjustamyth.”
Gray O’Brien interviewcontinued
TheLochposesthequestion,‘Whoistherealmonster?’Whatdidyoumakeofthat?
“It’sagreatidea.WhoistheLochNessMonster?NotwhatorwhereistheLochNessMonster?WhoistheLochNessMonster?Soitbecomessomethingcompletelydifferent.It’sveryinteresting.Ihavetosaynotoneofusknewwhothekillerwasuntilwegotthefinalscripts.Soabsolutelyeveryoneisasuspect.”
Alangoesicecurlinginthefirstepisode.Didyouenjoyfilmingthosescenes?
“Ilovedthecurling.Itwasagreatthingtotry.LauraandIweretoldwebothhadaproficiencyandoneoftheteamswastryingtopoachus.I’dneverdoneitbefore.MyaimwhenItriediceskatingwhenIwasyoungerwassimplytostandupright.It’sverydifficulttoholdthatbalancebutverygoodfun.Weallhadtherightkitonandlookedthepart.
“Itwasfunnyattheendwhenwejustwantedsomeonetorollthislaststoneinandmakecontact.Andtheycouldn’tdoitbecauseitwasoverashorterdistanceandtheycouldn’tgettheweightoftheshotright.Everysingleoneofthemtriedandtheywereallpullingtheirhairout.”
Oneofthecharactershasmomentsofexplosiveanger.Isthereanythingthatmakesyoureallyangry?
“Whatreallyannoysmeiswhenyou’reinthecarandsomeoneinfrontofyouisdrivingalongamainroadat20mph.Thentheycometoaslightbendintheroadandbrake.Youthink,‘Howcanyoubrake?Howcanyougoanyslower?’
“Weallhavetocountto10.‘Whyiseverybodynotasimportantasmeandhastogetthereasquicklyasme!’I’mnottalkingaboutspeeding.Justthatthingofyouarealreadygoingridiculouslyslowly.Howcanyougoevenslowerthanthat?Thesearethepeoplethatbringtheroadtoastandstill.
“It’sjustsillythingslikethat.Ithinkthebestthingtodointhosesituations,whichIdotryanddo,issmile.Becausetherearepeoplemuchmoreiratethanyou.You’vejustgottosmile.Andalittleshrugsometimesisenoughjusttosay,‘Wouldyoubelieveit?’Thatcansettleanddeflateasituation.”
WhatdifferencedoesadirectorlikeBrianKellymaketoaserieslikethis?
“Agooddirectorhastohaveagreatbutdifferentrelationshipwithboththecrewandthecast.Youhavetobeeverythingtoeveryone.Everyactorwilllookatsomethingandsay,‘Doyouknow,Idon’tquitethinkIwouldsaythat.’Andit’ssometimesdifficulttodifferentiatebetweenthecharacterandyouplayingthecharacter.
“Thedirectorhastobeadiplomatandstaytruetothewriting.It’sveryimportantweputthewriter’swordsonscreen.It’stooeasytosay,‘Iwouldn’tsaythatlikethat.’Well,you’renotAlan,you’reGray,forexample.Adirectorhastolistentoyourthoughtsandexplainhisthoughts.He’sseeingthewholething,asopposedtojustyourcharacter.
“Healsohastohavethecrewonsidesotheycompletelyunderstandhisvisionandwhatheistryingtodo.Thedirectorhastobeabitofamagicianbecausehe’sgottobeanegocarouser.Hehastokeepeveryonehappyandconfident.
Gray O’Brien interviewcontinued
Whilemakingjokestothecrew.That’swheredirectorsstrugglesometimes.Theydon’thavebothcastandcrewonside.
“Brianwasagreatdiplomatlikethat.Youalwaysfinishedascenethinking,‘Right,that’sabsolutelyit.He’shappy.Andifhe’shappy,I’mhappy.’Becausewedon’talwaysknowwhatwe’vedone.Ifweplaythetruth,weplaythetruth.Andyou’vegottotrustsomeoneelsewhenyouask,‘DidIactuallygetthat?DidItellthatstorywiththatlookorwiththatline?’
“It’sthenuancesintelevision.Ifthecameraisinverytightyoumustdomuchlessthaniftheshotisquitewide.Sothere’sagreatdealoftrustinvolvedthere.AgooddirectorhastobeabitlikeMotherHenandabitliketheconductor.AndIreallylikedthatfromBrian.Ifelthegotgreatresponsesfromeveryone.”
YoumustbepleasedatthenumberofscreendramasbeingfilmedinScotland?
“It’sbeenareallygoodsummerforfilminginScotland.Therewerelotsofthingsbeingfilmedthereandthatappearstobecontinuing.It’sgreat.Peoplelovetolookatthatscenery.Ithinkanew,bigScottishmovieislongoverdueafterBraveheartandRobRoy.That’sover20yearsagonow.It’sabouttimewehadanotherbigblockbuster.Aslongasyoucancopewiththemidgesandtherain,it’snoproblem.”
What’snextforyou?
“AlanRedfordinTheLochhasabeard.It’sthefirsttimeI’veeverhadabeardinanything.I’vealwaysbeencleanshaven.Ihadn’tshavedforaweekwhenIwentintoseeBrianandhesaid,‘Willyoukeepthatbeard?’Andasitsohappens,peoplekeptsayingIsuitedthebeard.SoI’mholdingontothebeardforabittoseeiftheywantitformynextroleornot.”
Gray O’Brien interviewcontinued
Castinterviews
CanyoutelluswhoBlakeAlbrighton is?
“Blakeisacriminalpsychologisthiredtohelpwiththeinvestigationandhetriestogetintothemindsofkillers.Hefindsouthowtheythink,whytheydowhattheydo.Whatkindofbackgroundtheywouldhavetodothesekindsofkillings.Thecluestheyleave.It’sforBlaketoworkoutwhatkindofpersonisbehindthat.”
Blakeisdescribedas40s,handsome,energisedwithsuccess.
“WellobviouslythatchangedalotwhenIcametoit.Iftheywanttocallhimhandsome,that’sfine.Itriedtoplaythat.Wehadagoodmake-updepartment.Theyalsogiveyouanicecar.Soyouhavetoreflectthoseprops.He’sgotanicecar;hewearsniceclothes.It’sthetrappingsofbeingsuccessful.Hecanbequiteashowmanbutnotfromanarcissistic‘lookatme’pointofview.Hejustlikesthefinerthings.Andhe’searnedthemtoacertainextent.
“I’veseenthosecharactersthatareverysuccessfulbutthey’renotshowy.Theydon’tputonthebestclothes.Blakejustlikesthefinerthings.He’swrittenbooksandisverysuccessful.AndIdon’tmindbeingkittedoutinthefinestclothesforacharacter.I’mnotgoingtocomplain!
“Ialsolovetheoppositeofthat.Peoplewhoareexpertsandwhoareslightlyeccentricormaybeintroverted.
DonGilétplaysBlakeAlbrighton
Theyhaveabrilliantmindbuttheydon’tshowit.Andtherearesomesubtextstothemanthatdemonstratehe’snotjustshowy.He’shadsometragedyinhislife.Whichiswhyheisdriventogethismaneverytime.Itsomehowkeepshimbalanced.Thathecanstilldothingsforotherpeople.Thereisahumanbeingtherethatisstill,toacertainextent,suffering.”
Howdowefirstmeethim?
“WefirstseehimarrivinginaremotepartofScotland,drivingthroughthisgreatvistaandtakinginthescenery.Thisisnothispartoftheworld.Blakeisacity-basedhumanbeing.
“Heisdrivingintoasituationthatheisfamiliarwithintermsofthejobdescription.Buthe’shavingtodealwithawoman- DCILaurenQuigleywhohehasapastwithbutneedstojustgetonwiththejob.She’sgottogetthebestpeopleforthejobsoshehadtochoosehim.Thereissomekindofunfinishedbusinessthere.Butshecan’tcompromiseonthejobjustbecauseofherpersonalfeelings.”
WhatdidyoumakeofTheLochscriptswhenyoufirstreadthem?
“Everybodylikestothinktheirscriptsaredifferent.ButIreallydidthinkTheLochwasdifferent.I’mnotamurdermystery,copshowfan.ButonceIstartedtoreaditIthought,‘Ilikethisguy.’Youcan’tnotlikehim.It’sthatfinelinebetweenarroganceandconfidence.
“Ilikeditforthatreason.Iliketheclasheshehas.AndthehistoryofhisconnectionwithQuigley,playedbySiobhanFinneran.It’snotpushedinyourface.Therearejustthesenuancedmomentswherethereis,orwas,oristherestillsomethingthere?Playingtheawkwardnesswiththetwoofthemalonetogether.Ireallylikethosetouches.
SoBlakeislookingforarealLochNessmonsterinthelocalcommunity?
“Itotallydidn’tgetthatstraightaway;thethoughtoftherebeinganotherkindofLochNessmonster.CertainnuanceslikethatarelostonmesometimesbecauseI’mlookingtoodeepintoascript.Mycharacteractuallysearchesforthismonster.
“ButfromBlake’sperspectivehedoesn’tseeitasamonster.Heseesitaspeople.Highlytroubledpeoplebutpeopleallthesame.‘Monster’isaredtopheadlinethatisputupontheseindividuals.It’sforBlakeAlbrighton tofleshoutthehumansidetopeoplewhohavegonebad.
“Onecharactersaysthatformostpeople,themonstersareintheirhead.Ilovethosetouches.Thatthereareotherversionsof‘monster’throughoutthewholething.”
Didallgosmoothlyduringfilming?
“TheonlyBlakethatsticksinmyhead- anditcameunstuckafewtimes- isBlakeCarringtonfromtheDynastydays.TherewereafewtakeswhereIhadtosay,‘I’mBlakeAlbrighton.’Andmynaturaldefaultwas,‘I’mBlakeCarrington.’Itjustsoundednaturaltome.Peoplewerelookingatmeandlaughingandsaying,‘We’regoingtohavetodoitagain.’AndwhenIaskedwhy,theytoldme,‘BecauseyousaidBlakeCarrington.’IwishIhadhishair.”
DonGilét interviewcontinued
WhatwasitlikeworkingwithSiobhanFinneran?
“It’srarethatanyonereallyhasproblemsworkingwithafellowcastmate.Thiswasalovelysetonboththetechnicalandperformancesides.I’vewatchedSiobhanformanyyears.IncludingathingcalledApparitions,withMartinShaw.AndIthoughtshewasabsolutelybrilliant.Thenshejustpopsupeverywhere.TheSyndicate,HappyValley,BenidormandDownton.Sheturnsupandnailsthosecharacters.
“SowhenIfoundoutshewasonthis,ofcourseIwasalittlebitcoyatfirst.I’mnotonlyinthesameshowasherbutthey’reputtingmycharacteragainsthercharactertoworktogether.Itreallywasdaunting.Anditwasgreattoseeshehasaverydown-to-earth,humansidetoher.She’sveryprofessionalandhasthesameethosthatIhave.Takethejobseriouslybutnotyourself.Andshedoesthat.
“It’sgreattobeabletoworkwithsomebodywhowantstoplayandfleshoutthingstofindoutdifferentwaysyoucandothings.Ilikethat.Sometimesthereisn’ttimeforthat.Certainlyifyou’redoingasoaplikeEastEnders,there’snotreallyalotoftimetoplayaround.You’vejustgottohaveitready.Whichisanotherskillinitself.That’snotabadthing.Butit’sgreatwhenthere’ssomewiggleroomandsomecreativebreathingspacetoreallyfindthecharacterandthenuanceinthescene.Soonthatnoteshewasgreattoworkwith.Upfortryinganything.”
HowdoesBlakegetonwithChiefInspectorFrankSmilie,playedbyJohnSessions?
“FrankisnotBlake’sbiggestfan.We’reoilandvinegarinourapproachestoourjobs.BlakecanlookatSmilie asabitofaPCPlodwithasmalltownmentality.Nothinglikethishashitthistownbefore.AnditsBlake’smeatandpotatoes.Blakeknowsspecificwaystogetyourmanandhowtodoit.There’snolovelostbetweenusinthewayBlakeconductsthecaseandthewaySmilie wantstodoit.It’sgreatstorytelling.Verywellwritten.”
HadyoufilmedinScotlandbefore?
“ManyyearsagoIdidapantomimeattheGlasgowPavilion.SoitwasgreattocomebacktoGlasgowandseehowmuchithaschanged.ButI’dneverfilmedtherebefore.
“WewerefilminginFortWilliamandLochLomond.Therewasn’tanawfullotoftimetosightsee,apartfromwhatwasnaturallyaroundyou.It’sabeautifulvista.I’veneverdoneanythingbeforewhereIhadtomaketheswattingofmidgesincharacter.HowwouldBlakeAbrighton swatawayamidge?Theyaretheresoyoumightaswellmakeavirtueofit.”
Areyouafanofthegreatoutdoors?
“ThelasttimeIwasinatentwasprobablyVFestivalorGlastonburyorsomethinglikethat.I’mnotaversetoit.ButIdon’tjumpatthechancetodoit.Butifsomeonesaidtherewasabigholidaywherewe’dgoupinthehills,I’dbeupforthat.BecauseIlikebeingoutwithnature.
“Ilikethefactit’scoldbutI’mwrappedupwarm.Aspeoplesay,there’snosuchthingasbadweather,justthewrongclothes.Ilovebeingoutwiththeelements,aslongasnothinggetsthroughtotheskin.”
DonGilét interviewcontinued
Episodeone
BeneaththewatersofLochNess,weseethepigmentbleachedbodyofanunidentifiedmiddle-agedman,stonestiedtohisankles.
Onherdayoff,DetectiveSergeantAnnieRedfordiscalleduponbyherbossDCIFrankSmilie toclearupagoryprank,whichreportersareclaiming,withtongueincheek,tobethewashed-upremainsoftheLochNessMonster.Annie,witharaginghangover,headstothelochsidewheretheinexperiencedPCJasonDennyhelpsherclearupthedecayinganimalentrails.AmongtheremainsJasonfindsaheart.
Meanwhile,pianoteacherNiallSwiftissackedbywidowerDrMarr.WhenSwiftaccusesMarrofhypocrisyanargumentensues.ShortlyafterwardsNiallreceivesatextfromsomeonewhowantstomeethimatalocalbeautyspot.Acoupleofhourslaterweseecollegeprincipal,CraigPetrie,infellrunninggear,standingoverSwift’stwisted,broken,bloodybodyasitliesatthefootofacliff.
ThepathologistascertainsthatSwiftwasmurderedandasliverofhisbrainremoved.DCILaurenQuigleyissecondedtothecasetoheaduptheinvestigation.Later,QuigleyisjoinedbyforensicpsychologistBlakeAlbrighton,whomshedraftsin,muchtoSmilie’s ire.
AnnieshowsQuigleythespotwhereSwiftwaskilled.Inagullyshefindsanewspaperfromthedayofthemurder.
Episodesynopses
Episodeonesynopsiscontinued
Theinvestigationisfurthercomplicatedwhentheheartfromthebeachfoundamongtheanimalremainsturnsouttobehuman.Theteenagersresponsiblefortheprank,Jonjo,KieranandAnnie’sdaughterEvie,arebroughtinforquestioningandAnnie,nowcompromised,isoffthecase,causingtensionsathome.
Elsewhere,wemeetKieran’sbrotherJordan,ayoungmanwithlocked-insyndromewhoawakensandbeginstoshowsignsofrecovery.
Episodetwo
Underthecoverofdawn,collegeprincipalCraigPetriethrowsthephonehetookfromNiallSwift’sdeadbodyintoLochNess.
Annieisdisappointedtobeoffthecasebutconsideringthehorrificnatureofit,husbandAlanisrelieved.Annie’smoodisfurtherdentedwhenaplaneticketarrives.Her18-year-olddaughterEvieisgoingtoAustraliaintwoweeks.Annieisn’temotionallyreadytolethergo.
Meanwhile,KenPatterson,ownerofthelocalabattoir,clasheswithhissonJonjoovertheLochNessMonsterstunt.Jonjo takestohisroomandlaterfilmsDrMarrdeliveringasuspiciousbagtooneoftheabattoirworkers.Jonjo sendsthefootagetoEvieandKieran,textingagainlaterthatdaytosayhehasfurtherinformationonDrMarrthatcouldputhiminjail.Jonjo thentossesawayhisbipolarmedication,headsoutandgoesmissing.Wrackedwithworryfortheirson,Kenandhismother,localprobationofficerNicole,reporthimmissingtotheirfriendDCISmilie.
ForensicpsychologistBlakeAlbrightonbelievesiftheyfindtheowneroftheheartitwillleadtothekiller.DCIQuigleymakesquestioningLeightonThomasapriority.Leightonwaspreviouslyconvictedofaseriouscrimeinhisyoungeryears.HemovedtoLochnafoy fouryearsagoonlicence.LeightonhasanalibiforSwift’smurder,AnniebelievesLeightonhasturnedhislifearoundbutQuigleyislessthanconvinced.Leightonstartstoactstrangelyand,couldthismeanhewasinvolvedintherecenttragicevents.
Episodesynopses
Episodetwosynopsiscontinued
Inotherlinesofenquiry,AnnielearnsthatMarrarguedwithSwiftthedayofhisdeath.QuigleyandAlbrighton interviewPetrie.Quigleygoesthroughthestatementhegaveatthestationthepreviousdayandnotesthewoman,whosephoneheusedtocallanambulance,thinksshesawhimbendingoverSwift’sbodyandputsomethinginhisbag.Petrielies,claimingitwashisownphone.
Annie’slocalknowledgeleadshertoagrimdiscoveryandmeanwhilewewitnessBeasecretlysedatingKieran’sbrotherJordan.
OntheirwaytomeetJonjo,EvieandKieranarealmostkilledwhenavehiclerunsthemoffroad.Thedangerinthetownisgrowing.
Quigleyhasabreakthroughwhichhopefullybringstheteamonestepclosertodiscoveringwhothekilleris.
Forfurtherepisodesynopses,[email protected]
DSAnnieRedford LAURAFRASER
DCILaurenQuigley SIOBHANFINNERAN
DCIFrankSmilie JOHNSESSIONS
AlanRedford GRAYO’BRIEN
EvieRedford SHONAMCHUGH
BlakeAlbrighton DONGILÉT
LeightonThomas WILLIAMASH
PCJasonDenny MURRAYFRASER
CraigPetrie ALASTAIRMACKENZIE
KenPatterson MORAYHUNTER
NicolePatterson JENNYRYAN
JonjoPatterson KEIRANGALLACHER
DrSimonMarr JOHNHEFFERNAN
KieranWhitehead JACKBANNON
DessieToner CONORMCCARRY
CrawfordBaxter EUANSTAMPER
IslaMarr CHERRYCAMPBELL
NiallSwift JORDANMCCURRACH
DonMcGrellish GEORGEANTON
AngusinaMcGrellish VICTORIALIDDELLE
BeaWhitehead ANITAVETTESSE
JordanWhitehead OLIVERGREENALL
Mhari Toner SIMONELAHBIB
OliverTench FRASERJAMES
KirstyPetrie SHEREENMARTIN
CastandProduction Credits
ExecutiveProducer TIMHAINES
Writer STEPHENBRADY
Producer ALANJWANDS
Director(Block1) BRIANKELLY
Director(Block2) CILLAWARE
DirectorofPhotography(Block1) DENISCROSSAN
Directorof Photography (Block2) NICMORRIS
ProductionDesigner ANDYHARRIES
CostumeDesigner GILLHORN
MakeUpDesigner STEPHANIESMITH
LocationManager MICHAELHIGSON
SoundRecordist STUARTBRUCE
CastingDirector ORLAO‘CONNOR
Editor(Block1) COLINMONIE
Editor(Block2) JOESAWYER
CastandProduction Credits
End
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