James R | On 30, Nov 2019

As the battle for power continues within Westminster and across the UK, Sky has revealed the first look at its new action-packed, political drama, COBRA.

Written by Ben Richards, the six-part Sky Original drama stars Robert Carlyle as Prime Minister, Robert Sutherland, and Victoria Hamilton as his Chief of Staff, Anna Marshall. The first look images and high-octane trailer shows them fighting for control as they deal with an unfolding national emergency after catastrophic events literally throw the nation into darkness. Under the name COBRA, a team comprised of Britain’s leading experts, crisis contingency planners and the most senior politicians must now assemble to help bring society back from the brink of collapse.

Joining the Prime Minister and his Chief of Staff are Fraser Walker, played by Richard Dormer, one of the best crisis contingency planners the country has ever known, and Home Secretary, Archie Glover-Morgan, played by David Haig – who will seize any opportunity for more power if such a chance presents itself. Together they are all forced to contend with impossible political decisions, as well as their ferociously pressured family lives, as the fate and protection of the people of Great Britain is left in their hands.

Richards (Spooks, Strike: The Cuckoo’s Calling) says: ‘In a culture which predominantly holds politicians and public servants up for mockery and ridicule, I wanted to make a show that showed them as real, complex human beings dealing with life or death issues. We have been so lucky to have a cast that has been able to bring that aspiration to life.”

COBRA was commissioned by Zai Bennett, Sky’s Managing Director of Content and Cameron Roach, Director of Drama, Sky Studios with Gabriel Silver as the commissioning editor. The series is produced by New Pictures and the executive producers include Charlie Pattinson, and Ben Richards. Joe Donaldson is the producer and the lead director is Hans Herbots, who directed episodes 1 to 3. He is joined by Al Mackay who directed episodes 4 to 6.

COBRA will launch on Sky One and NOW on 17th January 2020.

Here’s the first teaser:

 

COBRA: Robert Carlyle to star in new Sky drama

17th March 2019

Robert Carlyle will star in COBRA, a new Sky drama that sees the UK on the verge of a national emergency.

Ever wondered what happens in the corridors of power during a time of national emergency? The Sky One series, written by Ben Richards (The Cuckoo’s Calling), takes us behind-the-scenes of the government as the corridors of power react to a major crisis. Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Legend of Barney Thomson) will play Prime Minister Robert Sutherland and Victoria Hamilton (The Crown, Deep State) will co-star as Chief of Staff Anna Marshall.

The high-stakes, six-part drama sees them dealing with an unfolding national emergency that threatens to engulf the country as the COBRA committee, a team comprised of Britain’s leading experts, contingency planners and senior politicians, fights to ensure the protection of the people of Great Britain. The PM and his Chief of Staff must contend with impossible decisions, while also wrestling with ferociously pressured personal lives. Not only do they bear the weight of public expectation and their family’s needs; they must also be mindful of their political opponents who will use any sign of weakness as an opportunity to strike.

Produced by New Pictures (The Missing and Catherine The Great) for Sky, the drama also stars Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones, Fortitude) as Fraser Walker, Head of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, David Haig (Killing Eve, Penny Dreadful) as Archie Glover-Morgan, Home Secretary, Marsha Thomason (Better Things, White Collar) as Francine Bridge MP and Lucy Cohu (Broadchurch, Forgiven) as Rachel Sutherland, the PM’s wife.

Carlyle says: “I am really looking forward to stepping into the role of the Prime Minister in a story that feels almost too true to be fiction. COBRA is a palpably thrilling and witty take on a political drama but with a humanity at the heart of the series.”

COBRA is the latest drama series from Sky, as it continues to invest in original series, from Catherine The Great and Chernobyl to Temple and Riviera Season 2. Executive producers include Charlie Pattinson, Ben Richards, Jonathan Young and Nicola Larder. Joe Donaldson (Peaky Blinders, Ripper Street) is the producer. Lead director Hans Herbots (Riviera, The Treatment) will helm the first three episodes and Al Mackay (Humans, Deep Water) will direct the remaining episodes.

COBRA will air on Sky One and NOW this Autumn.

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