Made by Happy Tramp North and Expectation for BBC Scotland and BBC Two, and set in Edinburgh, Guilt is a stylish, contemporary drama with riveting plot twists and a strong vein of black humour throughout. The series will premiere on BBC Scotland’s digital channel and follow on BBC Two later this year.
The story follows two disparate Scottish brothers Max (Bonnar) and Jake (Sives) who, while driving home from a wedding together one night, accidentally run over and kill an old man on a darkened street. After making the panicked decision to cover their tracks, the brothers seem to get away with their crime.
However, as neighbours and relatives of the dead man begin to suspect his death wasn’t as innocent as it initially seemed, the brothers find their lives rapidly falling apart, as their actions begin to catch up with them. Their increasingly desperate attempts to conceal their guilt lead them further into a world where everyone seems to have a hidden agenda and they discover they can trust no-one, ultimately including each other.
Mark Bonnar says: "I am hugely excited to be a part of Guilt and to be working with Neil again. The moment I read the first scene I was totally hooked. Neil has managed to write a captivating and breathless thriller which, even in its darkest, most dramatic moments, maintains a pitch black sense of humour. I don’t want to resort to hyperbole, but IT IS a total rollercoaster ride!
“Added to that, to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Jamie Sives, whom I’ve known since we were at Leith Academy together aged 11, is joyful beyond words. In fact, Edinburgh plays a central role itself and I’m looking forward to revisiting some old haunts... I can’t wait to get started!”
Jamie Sives says: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be involved in what I’m sure will be a cracking drama. Neil has written brilliant scripts for Guilt and I can’t wait to get tangled up in the web he has so expertly woven. Our director Rob McKillop is a special talent and everyone I’ve met so far on this project has been so enthusiastic about it.
“I’m also over the moon at the prospect of working with Mark Bonnar. Mark and I went to high school together. It’s really quite surreal to think that he and I sometimes walked to school together and now we’re about to lead up a terrific new drama together, and in the year of the launch of BBC Scotland’s brand new channel. It doesn’t get any better. I’ve been wanting to work with Mark for ages.”
Gavin Smith, Commissioning Executive, Scripted for BBC Scotland, says: “To be filming our first original drama locally for the new channel, and have Mark and Jamie starring with Robbie directing, highlights our commitment to Scottish talent. We’re thrilled to be working with Happy Tramp North and Expectation to bring this ambitious project to life.”
Gregor Sharp, Commissioning Editor for BBC Comedy, adds: “We’re delighted to be supporting this hugely exciting project. Neil Forsyth’s scripts are packed with tension, moral ambiguity and off-beat humour, and we can’t wait to see this fantastic array of talent bring them to life.”
Happy Tramp North Executive Producer Neil Webster says: “We’re very excited and proud to be co-producing the first drama for the new BBC Scotland channel. Neil Forsyth has crafted an incredibly gripping story with a brilliantly off-kilter sensibility that puts everyone - the characters and the audience - well and truly through the ringer.”
Kirstie Macdonald, Creative Director for Drama, Expectation, adds: “As soon as I read Neil Forsyth’s script, I was bowled over by the dynamic world he had created and the brilliant characters of brothers Max and Jake. I am delighted to be working with Happy Tramp North on the first drama commission for BBC Scotland’s new channel and to be bringing two of Scotland’s most talented actors Mark and Jamie home to film the project.”
Guilt will be co-produced by Happy Tramp North and Expectation. Written by Neil Forsyth and directed by Robbie McKillop, the Executive Producers are Neil Webster for Happy Tramp North and Kirstie Macdonald for Expectation.
The drama is commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller Comedy Commissioning; Steve Carson, Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning BBC Scotland; and Patrick Holland, Controller BBC Two. The Commissioning Executives for the BBC are Gregor Sharp and Gavin Smith. The series will premiere on BBC Scotland’s digital channel and follow on BBC Two later this year.
Guilt will be internationally distributed by BBC Studios.
