Filming Begins On New Lucy Kirkwood Thriller

Filming is underway on Channel 4's new Lucy Kirkwood four-part thriller 'Chimerica', based on the critically acclaimed stage play of the same name.

The series will tell the story of a photojournalist who tries to salvage his career after accusations that he doctored one of his award winning photographs.

Alessandro Nivola ('American Hustle', 'A Most Violent Year', 'Face/Off') assumes the lead role of photojournalist Lee Berger. Emmy Award winner Cherry Jones ('Transparent', 'The Handmaid's Tale', '24') stars as Mel Kincaid, Lee's old friend and colleague. Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated Sophie Okonedo ('Hotel Rwanda', 'The Hollow Crown', 'The Slap') stars as Tessa Kendrick, a corporate-minded market researcher who crosses Lee's path in China and at home in NYC. F. Murray Abraham ('Homeland', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', 'Inside Llewelyn Davis'), Terry Chen ('Jessica Jones', 'Unreal') and Ty Simpkins ('Jurassic World', 'Iron Man 3') play supporting roles.

Based on Lucy Kirkwood's critically-acclaimed and Olivier Award-winning stage play, Chimerica is a 4 x 60' thriller that explores not just the relationship between East and West, but also some of the most urgent issues affecting society today. Set against the run-up to the 2016 US Presidential election, the original play has been updated to reflect the political changes of the last two years. The fictional series will bring into even sharper focus vital issues such as fake news, the criminalisation of political protest, our growing ease with the manipulation of fact and image, and the battle between present and future superpowers.

BAFTA nominee Michael Keillor ('Line of Duty', 'Strike', 'Critical') is directing the series. Chimerica was commissioned for Channel 4 by Beth Willis, Head of Drama, and Simon Maxwell, Head of International Drama. The series is produced by Playground ('Wolf Hall', 'Howards End', 'Little Women') with Colin Callender and Sophie Gardiner as Executive Producers. Lucy Kirkwood will also serve as an Executive Producer. The producer is Adrian Sturges ('Fearless', 'The Enfield Haunting', 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed').