Sky Atlantic and CANAL PLUS commission second series of critically acclaimed drama The Tunnel
Sky Atlantic announces The Tunnel 2: Debris (W/T), an original story, re-uniting The Tunnel’s unlikely Anglo-French duo Karl Roebuck, a seasoned British detective played by International Emmy® Award winning actor Stephen Dillane and his French counterpart Elise Wasserman, portrayed by Clémence Poésy.
Joining The Tunnel’s acclaimed production team for the second series are director Mike Barker (Broadchurch) and producer Julian Stevens (The Fall). Ben Richards (Spooks) returns as lead writer of the Sky Atlantic and CANAL+ co-production from Kudos and Shine France Films.
When a passenger plane mysteriously crashes into the English Channel killing everyone on board, Roebuck and Wasserman are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. With the emotions and tribulations of their previous case behind them, the pair are once again thrust into a joint investigation which will test their unlikely alliance.
Zai Bennett, Director, Sky Atlantic, commented “Boasting fantastic nuanced performances by Clémence Poésy and Stephen Dillane and a totally gripping story, it is easy to see why the first series of this crime thriller struck a real chord with Sky Atlantic viewers. The Tunnel 2: Debris reunites the acting tour-de-force with world-class writing and production teams, ensuring this new original series will have customers on the edge of their seats once more.”
Fabrice De La Patellière, Director of French Fiction and co-productions for CANAL+ said: “The Tunnel will once again feature strong and original characters Elise Wasserman and Karl Roebuck joining forces on a case that sees the dramatic involvement of their two countries. Drawn into a spiral of events whose ramifications for modern-day Europe resonate strongly with recent events, the pair must put their differences, nationalities and interests aside as they combine their investigative talents and personal qualities to fight a dangerous enemy.”
Manda Levin, Executive Producer for Kudos, commented: “I’m delighted that we’re back in production for a second series with our two phenomenal leads, Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy at the helm. The Tunnel’s success stems from powerful, intelligent writing, with direction and acting to match and their absorbing and compelling performances gave real depth to Ben Richards thrilling scripts. Good drama is drama you don’t want to end and which leaves you longing for the next episode. As the train entered The Tunnel at the close of the first series, we as producers couldn’t wait to begin work on series two, desperate to see what lies in store for Karl and Elise”
Thierry Lachkar, CEO Shine France and Nora Melhli, Head of Drama Shine France Films said: "We are delighted to be back with Élise and Karl for a new investigation across France and the UK. This new series is a chance for Ben Richards and his Franco-British team of writers to touch on Europe and the challenges it faces, to tackle contemporary issues head-on through a powerful, fast-paced brand of storytelling with a diverse set of strong on-screen talent. To be producing a show of this scale is an exhilarating challenge."
The Tunnel 2: Debris is the latest commission from Sky Atlantic following Sky’s commitment to increase its investment in original content. The series complements Sky Atlantic’s slate of commissions which feature bold, authored pieces with strong narrative stories. Recent commissions include psychological thriller Penny Dreadful, crime drama series The Last Panthers starring Samantha Morton, Tahar Rahim and John Hurt and Fortitude, the epic thriller set in the Arctic starring Sofie Grabol, Stanley Tucci, Michael Gambon and Christopher Eccleston.
For further information, please contact:
Sky
Dominic Collett
Publicist
dominic.collett@bskyb.com
020 7032 4892
Sky
Megan MacLeod
Senior Publicist
Megan.Macleod@bskyb.com
020 7032 4252
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Notes to Editors
The Tunnel 2: Debris
The Tunnel 2: Debris (working title) is a 8 x 60 minute bilingual drama series in English and French. The series is a Sky Atlantic and CANAL+ co-production from Kudos and Shine France Films.
Writer Ben Richards (Spooks), Director Mike Barker (Broadchurch), Producer Julian Stevens (The Fall). It was commissioned by Anne Mensah, Head of Drama, for Sky and Fabrice De La Patellière, Director of French Drama and co-productions, for CANAL+. Executive Producers for Kudos; Ben Richards, Manda Levin and Karen Wilson. Executive Producer for Shine France Films; Nora Melhli. Executive Producers for Sky; Jo McClellan and Anne Mensah. Principal photography started in the UK and France in March 2015.
About Sky
Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.6 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 25,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.6 billion and is estimated to support a £6.0 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).
About Kudos
Kudos is one of the UK’s most successful and original producers of popular, award – winning scripted television, supplying broadcasters domestically and internationally. Shows include Spooks, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, The Hour, Utopia and the critically acclaimed, multi-award winning Broadchurch (written by Chris Chibnall for ITV), the second series of which is currently on air. Forthcoming productions include Humans, written by British writing partnership Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley (Spooks, Spooks: The Greater Good), based on the award – winning Swedish sci – fi drama “Real Humans”, and the new drama series written and created by Emmy award-winning Abi Morgan (The Hour) River starring Stellan Skarsgard (BBC One).
About CANAL+
CANAL+ Group is the leading broadcasting company in France. It is at the forefront in provision of premium-content and themed networks, as well as in bundling and distribution of pay-TV offerings. Taking into account its international activities in Africa, Poland and Vietnam, the group has a total subscriber base of 14.7 million.
CANAL+ Group is the leader in premium-content. Since its launch in 1984, CANAL+ Group has provided a unique and varied network comprising six premium channels offering cinema, sports, news, drama, documentaries and entertainment, including the recently launched CANAL+ SERIES.