David Farnor | On 18, Sep 2020

Channel 4 is remaking the hit Swedish crime thriller Before We Die.

“Sons of Anarchy goes to Sweden for this thrilling, fast-paced crime drama” is how we described the original show, which premiered in the UK on Walter Presents, in our review.

Now, Channel 4 is giving the crime drama a British spin, relocating the action from Stockholm to Bristol. Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, Three Girls, Bob & Rose) leads the cast as detective Hannah Laing, who becomes deeply conflicted when she discovers her son, Christian, is playing a crucial role as an undercover informant in a brutal murder investigation. Patrick Gibson (The Tudors, The OA) co-stars as Christian, while Croatian actor Toni Gojanović, who starred in HBO Europe’s recent hit series, Success, will take on the role of Davor Mimica the leader of the criminal gang. Vincent Regan (Troy, 300, Wallander) stars as Billy Murdoch, a non-conformist investigator, who is seconded to Hannah’s unit to advise on Eastern European drug gangs.

Channel 4 Head of Drama Caroline Hollick, commissioned the six-part series from the newly formed production company Eagle Eye Drama, which was launched by the same team behind Walter Presents.

Hollick says: “Every episode of Before We Die is a rollercoaster of excitement – and I’m so delighted to have Lesley Sharp bring her trademark gravitas and charisma to Channel 4. It’s a privilege to be part of this truly inspiring European collaboration.”

Jo McGrath, Executive Producer and CCO of Eagle Eye Drama, added: “Before We Die is a powerful and original series which uses the grammar and architecture of a nail-biting crime thriller to tell the compelling emotional story of a mother and son’s dysfunctional relationship, beautifully juxtaposed against the close-knit ties of the crime family they are trying to bring to justice. Before We Die stands out as truly distinctive crime drama and I can think of no better actress than Lesley Sharp to bring this complex lead character to life.”

Before We Die will be filmed in Bristol and Belgium this autumn and winter, with Jo McGrath, Walter Iuzzolino and Bert Hamelinck as Executive Producers. Season 1 and 2 of the original show are currently available on Walter Presents.

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