Sky has announced that production is underway on Charmer, a seductive new Sky Original drama from Working Title Television and Story Films, in association with Universal Global Television and Sky Studios. Anthony Boyle (The Altruists, House of Guinness), Siena Kelly (Black Mirror, Adult Material), Connor Swindells (The Entertainment System Is Down, SAS Rogue Heroes) and Sophie Wilde (Digger, Talk to Me) lead the cast of the eight-part series.

Charmer follows an ambitious group of thirty-something Londoners whose lives are turned upside down by Ryan (Anthony Boyle), a seducer-for-hire employed to test the fidelity of his wealthy clients’ partners. As a wedding day draws closer, an assignment becomes personal, threatening the professional distance that has always underpinned Ryan’s work. As deception gives way to desire, Ryan risks breaking the one rule that has always defined him: never fall in love.

Charmer is an exploration of trust, desire and the pursuit of authentic love.

Created and written by Thomas Aspell, Charmer is directed by Emmy-winning and BAFTA-nominated director Elliot Hegarty, whose credits include Rivals, Ted Lasso and Bad Education. Additional episodes are written by Melissa Bubnic, Constance Cheng and Anna Ssemuyaba, with Dionne Edwards directing block two.

Anthony Boyle leads the cast as Ryan, alongside Siena Kelly as Emily, Connor Swindells as Max and Sophie Wilde as Cameron. They are joined by Sam Delich, Vivian Oparah, Neil Maskell, Karan Gill, Sophie Simnett and Polly Walker.

Anthony Boyle said: “I’m thrilled to come on board and play Ryan in Charmer, working alongside such incredible talent. Tom’s scripts are fantastic, heartfelt, funny and smart. I can’t wait for people to meet the characters that Siena, Connor and Sophie create.”

Meghan Lyvers, Managing Director, Scripted Originals, Sky, said: “Charmer is exactly the kind of bold, original storytelling we champion at Sky. Tom has crafted a brilliantly distinctive take on modern love, brought to life by an exceptional cast led by Anthony, Siena, Connor and Sophie. Backed by the combined pedigree of Working Title Television and Story Films, and with Elliot Hegarty at the helm, this outstanding creative team is bringing something provocative and thrilling to the screen. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.”

Simon Hatton, Executive Producer, Working Title Television, said: “Charmer is a seductive way into the thorny heart of contemporary love. Part thriller, part romance, it asks unexpected questions about trust and desire, and what happens when the heart overrules the head. We’re excited to be making this bold show with our partners at Story Films and Sky.”

Dave Nath, Executive Producer, Story Films, said: “At its heart Charmer asks a deceptively simple question: How far would you go to discover the truth about the person you love? We’re delighted to be partnering with Working Title and Sky to bring Tom Aspell’s brilliantly original idea to the screen.”

Charmer is produced by Working Title Television, part of Universal Global Television (a division of Universal Studio Group), and Story Films, part of Banijay Entertainment. Working Title Television’s recent productions include Too Much and Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole, while Story Films’ credits include The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe and Deceit. Executive Producers are Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Surian Fletcher-Jones and Simon Hatton for Working Title Television, David Nath and Peter Beard for Story Films, and Thomas Aspell and Elliot Hegarty. Josh Wilkins serves as Co-Executive Producer. Commissioning Editor Manpreet Dosanjh is Executive Producer for Sky. The series producer is Charlotte Surtees.

Charmer will air on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK and Italy. International sales of the series will be handled by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.