David Farnor | On 19, Sep 2016

Filming on Clique begins in Edinburgh this week. Created by Jess Brittain, the six-part drama sees two best friends – Holly and Georgia – drawn into an elite clique of alpha girls led by lecturer Jude McDermid in their first few weeks at university. Written by Jess Brittain with Kirstie Swain and Milly Thomas, the show is a seductive, intense drama about friendship tested to extremes.

Open auditions were held for the series in May and now, BBC Three has officially announced who got the roles. In her television debut, newcomer Synnove Karlsen will star as Holly, alongside The Fall’s Aisling Franciosi as Georgia, while Sherlock’s Louise Brealey will star as Jude McDermid and Emun Eliot (Prometheus; Game of Thrones; Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Filth) as her brother, Alistair McDermid.

Rachel Hurd-Wood (Peter Pan; Tomorrow, When the War Began), Sophia Brown, Ella Rae-Smith and Emma Appleton play the ‘clique’, and they will be joined by Mark Strepan (New Blood), Sorcha Groundsell (Iona), Peter Bankole (The Physician), Chris Fulton (One of Us) and Harris Dickinson (The Medium, Home).

Creator and writer Jess Brittain says: “Clique is about the different ways ambition plays out in young women at university. It’s a heightened version of a certain type of uni experience, pulled from my time at uni, then ramped up a few notches into a psychological thriller. Clique goes to some pretty dark places. But returns, always, to the key female friendships of our central characters.”

Childhood soulmates Georgia and Holly are only a few weeks into the so-called best years of their lives at university in Edinburgh, when Georgia gets drawn into the elite clique of alpha-girls, led by lecturer Jude McDermid. Jude’s brand of feminism is alluring, just like the circle of bright students she surrounds herself with. Georgia’s effortless entry into the clique leaves Holly out in the cold. But Holly’s jealousy soon escalates to panic as Georgia begins acting erratically. Alarmed by this transformation in her best friend, Holly is compelled to follow her into Jude’s closely guarded circle. Can Holly reclaim her soulmate? And at what cost to herself?

The programme is a BBC Drama and Balloon Entertainment co-production that was commissioned by Damian Kavanagh for BBC Three and Polly Hill, former Controller of BBC Drama. Exec producing are Bryan Elsley for Balloon and Christopher Aird for BBC Studios. The series producer is Gabriel Silver.

BBC Studios Executive Producer, Christopher Aird, adds: “Clique is drama for a new generation of viewers starring a new generation of brilliant young actors. Jess Brittain has created truly authentic characters and propelled them into a seductive and by turns shocking story.”

The show will air on BBC Three in 2017. For more what’s coming soon to BBC Three, click here.
 

BBC Three announces open auditions for new series Clique

13th May 2016

BBC Three is hosting open auditions for its new series, Clique.

Clique is a brand new six-part drama created by Jess Brittain and written by Jess Brittain, Kirstie Swain and Milly Thomas.

If follows childhood soulmates Georgia and Holly, who are only a few weeks into the so-called best years of their lives at Edinburgh Uni, when Georgia gets drawn into an elite clique of alpha girls, led by lecturer Jude Monroe. Jude’s brand of feminism is alluring, just like the circle of bright students she surrounds herself with. Georgia’s effortless entry into the clique leaves Holly out in the cold. But Holly’s jealousy soon escalates to panic as Georgia begins acting erratically. Alarmed by this transformation in her best friend, Holly is compelled to follow her into Jude’s closely guarded circle.

The six-episode drama, which is produced by BBC Drama and Balloon Entertainment, was commissioned when the online TV channel first launched in February 2016. Now, production on the project is beginning and show is opening its doors to women interested in taking on a lead role.

The casting team behind Skins are calling for “Scotland-based women between the ages of 18 and 23”, with previous professional acting experience not necessary. What is necessary is that you can attend the auditions at Glasgow’s Websters Theatre on Saturday 21st May 2016, between 10am and 3pm. (You must bring a passport or other valid ID. You must also be 18 years old by September 1st 2016, and no older than 23.)

Callbacks will follow on Sunday 22nd May 2016.

The show will air on BBC Three in 2017.

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