Written by Neil Forsyth (Eric, Ernie And Me, Bob Servant) and co-produced by Expectation and Happy Tramp North, Guilt aired on both BBC Two and on BBC Scotland in 2019. To date, the joint commission has been watched by over three million people across the UK, with more than half a million of those in Scotland and was one of the top-three most-requested BBC Scotland titles on BBC iPlayer.
Guilt will air on both BBC Two and BBC Scotland in 2021 with filming on series two expected to start in Scotland later this year, following government guidelines around coronavirus.
The first series introduced Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives as two disparate brothers, united by guilt when they accidentally run over and kill an old man on a darkened street. Other cast included Emun Elliot, Bill Paterson, Sian Brooke, Ruth Bradley and Ellie Haddington. Casting for series two will be announced in the coming months.
Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two, says: “Neil Forsyth’s Guilt was a dark gem in last year’s schedules and I am delighted that the team is returning for a new series. It was a real treat to have Neil’s sharp writing and the wonderful performances, weaving a brilliant tale of lies, deception and skulduggery. Audiences across the UK await series two with relish.”
Steve Carson, Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning, BBC Scotland, adds: “Guilt was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our year on BBC Scotland and we’re thrilled to bring it back for a second series. Neil Forsyth’s ability to marry comedy and drama together and the brilliant cast that brought his scripts to life made for compelling viewing and made Guilt a must-see moment on TV and BBC iPlayer.
"With guilt finally catching up with the characters at the end of the last series, who knows what direction Neil will take them in the new series?”
Neil Webster, Executive Producer, Happy Tramp North, says: "Here we go again. We can’t wait to bring more of Forsyth’s light and shade to the world. Series two is going to be a corker.”
Nerys Evans, Creative Director, Comedy, Expectation adds: "Neil set a high bar with his fantastic scripts on series one, so I’m really excited to hear the new twists and turns he has in store for series two.”
Guilt has won a number of awards including an RTS Award Scotland for Best Drama; RTS Award Scotland: Camera; Celtic Media Festival Torc Award for Best Drama Series and Neil Forsyth was also nominated for the RTS Best Drama Writer award. It will once again be co-produced by Expectation and Happy Tramp North.
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 will be Gregor Sharp and Gavin Smith and the indie executive producers will be Neil Webster for Happy Tramp North and Nerys Evans for Expectation. Guilt will be internationally distributed by BBC Studios.
