BBC Two Announces New Thriller 'Burn Up'

'Burn Up' is a nail-biting two-part thriller for BBC Two from the pen of multi award-winning writer Simon Beaufoy ('The Full Monty').
It's a powerful story of love, commitment and divided loyalty... a thriller in which the stakes couldn't be higher.
'Burn Up' is due to be broadcast in July. It is produced for BBC Two by Kudos Film and Television, the company behind some of the BBC's best-loved dramas, including 'Spooks' and 'Life On Mars'.
The extraordinary cast for this taut production is headed by Emmy Award winner Bradley Whitford, best known for his role as Josh on 'The West Wing'.
Whitford is joined by Neve Campbell (from the 'Scream' trilogy), Rupert Penry-Jones ('Spooks') and Marc Warren ('Hustle').
This topical thriller sees oil executives, environmental activists and politicians collide in the battle between economic success and ecological responsibility.
Rupert Penry-Jones stars as Tom, who, having been named the new head of Arrow Oil, finds his life unravelling as he's pulled into a high-stakes game of power and international intrigue.
Neve Campbell plays his colleague Holly, whose covert collaboration with environmentalists puts her in great jeopardy, and Bradley Whitford plays Tom's best friend Mack, a charismatic yet unscrupulous oil industry lobbyist.
'Burn Up' follows the trio's lives and loves as they hurtle towards a global climate change summit.
BBC Commissioning Editor for Drama, Lucy Richer, said: "'Burn Up' is a highly authored piece wholly of this unique moment in time. The exciting mix of US, Canadian and UK talent, the awesome backdrop of the Canadian wilds combined with Simon's taut and provocative script makes for an epic proposition."
Kudos Film and Television's Stephen Garrett said: "As a lifelong fan of the political thriller, it's been incredibly satisfying to marry it to the most urgent issue facing us as the century unfolds - a potent cocktail of fiction and fact that we hope will enlighten as much as it will entertain."
'Burn Up' is produced by Kudos Film and Television and Calgary-based SEVEN24 Films for the BBC (UK) and Global Television (Canada).
It is written by Simon Beaufoy ('The Full Monty'), produced by Christopher Hall ('The Lost World'), directed by Omar Madha ('Spooks') and is a UK/Canada treaty co-production.
'Burn Up' was commissioned by Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Fiction for transmission on BBC Two.
(KMcA/JM)