BBC One Reveals Apple Tree Yard Cast

BBC One has revealed details of its new thriller Apple Tree Yard.

It is a four-part adaptation of Louise Doughty's best-selling psychological thriller of the same name. The writer for the adaptation is Amanda Coe.

Apple Tree Yard will star Emily Watson as Yvonne Carmichael and Ben Chaplin as Mark Costley, alongside Mark Bonnar, Adeel Akhtar, Lydia Leonard, Frances Tomelty and Rhashan Stone.

Made by Kudos, Apple Tree Yard is a thriller that puts women's lives at the heart of a gripping, insightful story about the values we live by and the choices we make.

Married with two grown-up children, Yvonne Carmichael (Watson) lives a contented, conventional suburban life, but her world turns upside down when a chance encounter leads to an impulsive and passionate affair with a charismatic stranger (Chaplin).

Despite her careful plans to keep her home life and career separate from her affair, fantasy and reality soon begin to overlap and everything she values is at risk, as a life-changing act of violence leads to a Crown Court trial. Yvonne's life is ripped apart as the consequence of one spur-of-the-moment decision. A decision any one might make.

Emily Watson said: "I am both relishing and daunted by the prospect of taking on this role; it's grown up, steamy and of queasy moral complexity."

Amanda Coe said: "Apple Tree Yard is that rare thing, a perfectly executed page-turner that's also a gripping exploration of the difficult moral choices we face in adult relationships."

Lucy Richer, Executive Producer for the BBC, added: "Louise Doughty's best-seller Apple Tree Yard is a book that is impossible to put down. We are thrilled to have a fantastic cast led by Emily Watson to bring this story to life on BBC One in Amanda Coe's breath-taking adaptation of this absorbing and emotional thriller."

Manda Levin, Executive Producer, Kudos, commented: "The role of Yvonne Carmichael is a thrilling psychological rollercoaster that requires an actress to traverse an incredible range of emotional states. Wherever Emily Watson has to go in her work – even the darkest places, exploring the most hidden parts of ourselves – she always takes us with her, because she brings truth, spirit and heart to every character she plays."

The 4 x 60' series has been adapted by Bafta-winning author Amanda Coe. It is produced by Kudos for BBC One and will be directed by Jessica Hobbs. Filming on Apple Tree Yard is due to begin later this month.

Manda Levin is executive producer for Kudos and Lucy Richer for the BBC. It is produced by Chris Carey, and will be distributed by FremantleMedia International.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP)