BBC conspiracy drama begins filming

London based production boutique Endor have begun filming a major new conspiracy thriller for BBC One.
'State of Play', written by Paul Abbot, stars David Morrissey and John Simm and is set against the background of Whitehall and Fleet Street.
The plot centres on the relationship between an ambitious MP and an investigative journalist, whose friendship is tested when a young political intern dies and revelations of an affair hit the headlines. Lives are put on the line as an intricate web of lies unfolds.
David Morrissey joins the cast fresh from his acclaimed performance in 'Out of Control'. His previous credits include 'Murder', Tony Marchant's 'Holding On' and 'Captain Correlli's Mandolin'.
John Simm is best known for his leading roles in 'The Lakes' and 'Crime and Punishment'.
Writer Paul Abbott has previously created many hit series including 'Clocking Off', 'Linda Green', 'Touching Evil' and 'Reckless'.
He said: "State of Play is really about government dancing too close to the corporate devil. By creating the link between a rising star of the government and a young journalist, it looks at the way we're all fed information, the way it's laundered for mass consumption, and how that translates once it makes the front page.
"I fell in love with the idea of watching a tiny piece of journalistic gossip trigger an investigation that gradually unearths a scandal."
Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, added: "State of Play is a major new drama commission for BBC One next year and complements other signature dramas such as 'Spooks', 'Clocking Off' and 'Cutting It'.
"Paul has created an intense, edgy story of deception, collusion and death, with twists and turns will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. "
State of Play is directed by David Yates, whose BAFTA award-winning production of 'The Way We Live Now' was one of the highlights of BBC One drama last year.
(GB)