Hot Picks: Falling

Falling is Adolescence scribe Jack Thorne’s first love story and brings together the talents of Keeley Hawes (Miss Austen, Scoop) with Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror, The Lazarus Project) in a witty, contemporary and moving series that may also catch viewers by surprise.

Essiedu is a Catholic priest and Hawes’ Anna is a devoted nun, both deeply committed to their work in the church and in their community.

Neither expected to fall in love, but when they do, they are forced to wrestle with what their relationship means and how it affects their devotion to their God. Exec producer George Faber took the idea to Thorne, who was fascinated by the idea of one incredibly powerful force – faith – meeting another: love.

“He was also drawn to the idea of two adults who have never been in a relationship learning what love means and how to navigate it,” says George Ormond, executive producer at The Forge.

Thorne wrote the first episode, which was taken to Channel 4 in the UK, and the broadcaster greenlit the series. It was filmed last year in Wales and Bristol, with a supporting cast that includes Rakie Ayola (Kaos), Jason Watkins (The Lost Honour Of Christopher Jefferies) and Niamh Cusack (The Virtues).

Ormond says that he is proudest of the fact that the show “unfolds a brilliantly compelling love story that is tender, insightful and moving”.

The exec producer continues: “At the heart of that are stand-out performances from all our cast, but especially Keeley and Paapa, brilliantly guided by our directors Peter [Hoar] and Sasha [Ransome].” Hoar and Ransome worked on the series with producer Joe Donaldson of Peaky Blinders fame, and Ormond believes that the combination brought out the best of those on screen.

“I love seeing how the director and cast bring shows to life, and sometimes that’s where the happy surprises are. On Falling, each day’s rushes brought these moments.” Romance is, of course, a hot genre at present, but the The Forge exec believes the setting of Falling and the presence of Hawes and Essiedu will set the six-part series apart from its rivals.

“It’s a very surprising, but engrossing, love story exploring two people who find themselves in completely uncharted territory”
George Ormond

“It’s a very surprising, but engrossing, love story exploring two people who find themselves in completely uncharted territory, with two incredible actors at the top of their game,” Ormond adds.

Banijay Rights is selling globally and Claire Jago, executive vicepresident of EMEA sales and acquisitions, says the subtle, nuanced nature of the drama will appeal to international buyers.

“Falling is a beautiful love story, delicately told through the incredible writing of Jack Thorne with stunning performances from Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu. Every word is considered, and as a viewer you are drawn into their emotional turmoil but also their intense feelings.

“It’s gripping and gentle in equal measure and we are in no doubt this will appeal to audiences worldwide. This is a universal story of forbidden love that everyone can identify with, coupled with an all-star cast, the production power of The Forge and compelling storytelling. It’s a show that calls to everyone.”