David Farnor | On 06, Oct 2020

“The time has come for a totally new approach.” That’s the sound of Hugh Laurie heading to the BBC for new political drama Roadkill.

The series, created by David Hare, follows Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie), a self-made, forceful and charismatic politician. Peter’s public and private life seems to be falling apart – or rather is being picked apart by his enemies. As the personal revelations spiral, he is shamelessly untroubled by guilt or remorse, expertly walking a high wire between glory and catastrophe as he seeks to further his own agenda whilst others plot to bring him down. However events show just how hard it is, for both an individual and a country, to leave the past behind. With enemies so close to home, can Peter Laurence ever out-run his own secrets to win the ultimate prize?

Laurie stars alongside Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, MotherFatherSon), Sidse Babett Knudsen (The Accident, Westworld), Saskia Reeves (Us, The Child in Time), Ophelia Lovibond (W1A, Hooten & the Lady) and Iain De Caestecker (Us, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D).

Roadkill will air on BBC One later this year – watch this space for a confirmed UK air date. Until then, here’s the trailer:

 

First look: Hugh Laurie in BBC One’s Roadkill

22nd July 2020

BBC One has released a first look image of Hugh Laurie in political thriller Roadkill.

The series, created by David Hare, follows Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie), a self-made, forceful and charismatic politician. Peter’s public and private life seems to be falling apart – or rather is being picked apart by his enemies. As the personal revelations spiral, he is shamelessly untroubled by guilt or remorse, expertly walking a high wire between glory and catastrophe as he seeks to further his own agenda whilst others plot to bring him down. However events show just how hard it is, for both an individual and a country, to leave the past behind. With enemies so close to home, can Peter Laurence ever out-run his own secrets to win the ultimate prize?

Laurie stars alongside Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, MotherFatherSon), Sidse Babett Knudsen (The Accident, Westworld), Saskia Reeves (Us, The Child in Time), Sarah Greene (Dublin Murders, Normal People), Patricia Hodge (A Very English Scandal, Miranda), Ophelia Lovibond (W1A, Hooten & the Lady), Iain De Caestecker (Us, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Katie Leung (Chimerica, Strangers), Olivia Vinall (The Woman in White, Apple Tree Yard), Pippa Bennett-Warner (Harlots, MotherFatherSon), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Our Girl, Bad Mothers), Pip Torrens (Poldark, Preacher), Millie Brady (The Last Kingdom) and Danny Ashok (Deep Water, Capital).

 

Helen McCrory joins Hugh Laurie in BBC One’s Roadkill

17th November 2019

Helen McCrory (Peaky Blinders, MotherFatherSon) has been cast as the Prime Minister, Dawn Ellison, in Roadkill, a new political thriller for BBC One.

Written by David Hare (Collateral, The White Crow) and produced by The Forge (Collateral, Kiri), Roadkill is a four-part fictional thriller about Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie), a self-made, forceful and charismatic politician. Peter’s public and private life seems to be falling apart – or rather is being picked apart by his enemies. As the personal revelations spiral, he is shamelessly untroubled by guilt or remorse, expertly walking a high wire between glory and catastrophe as he seeks to further his own agenda whilst others plot to bring him down. However events show just how hard it is, for both an individual and a country, to leave the past behind. With enemies so close to home, can Peter Laurence ever out-run his own secrets to win the ultimate prize?

Helen and are Hugh are joined by Sidse Babett Knudsen (The Accident, Westworld), Saskia Reeves (Us, The Child in Time), Sarah Greene (Dublin Murders, Normal People), Patricia Hodge (A Very English Scandal, Miranda), Ophelia Lovibond (W1A, Hooten & the Lady), Iain De Caestecker (Us, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Katie Leung (Chimerica, Strangers), Olivia Vinall (The Woman in White, Apple Tree Yard), Pippa Bennett-Warner (Harlots, MotherFatherSon), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Our Girl, Bad Mothers), Pip Torrens (Poldark, Preacher), Millie Brady (The Last Kingdom) and Danny Ashok (Deep Water, Capital).

Hare says: “The casting of Roadkill illustrates the extraordinary depth and range newly on show in British film acting. Hugh Laurie is leading a great ensemble.”

Filming has begun in London.

 

Hugh Laurie to star in David Hare’s Roadkill for BBC One

23rd August 2019

Hugh Laurie (House, The Night Manager) will star in Roadkill, a new drama by David Hare (Collateral) for BBC One.

Laurie will play self-made, forcefulvand charismatic Conservative minister Peter Laurence in the four-part fictional thriller. Peter’s public and private life seems to be falling apart – or, rather, is being picked apart by his enemies. As the personal revelations spiral, he is shamelessly untroubled by guilt or remorse, expertly walking a high wire between glory and catastrophe as he seeks to further his own agenda while others plot to bring him down. However, events show just how hard it is, for both an individual and a country, to leave the past behind. With enemies so close to home, can Peter Laurence ever out-run his own secrets to win the ultimate prize?

Roadkill was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC Content. It will be directed by Michael Keillor (Line Of Duty, Strike, Chimerica) and executive producers are creator David Hare, George Faber and Mark Pybus for The Forge, Lucy Richer for the BBC and Michael Keillor.

Hare says: “I first worked with Hugh Laurie in 1987 when he set off on his riveting change of direction from adroit comedian to commanding dramatic actor. I can’t wait to see him embody the fictional future of the Conservative party in Roadkill.”

Wenger adds: “Roadkill is a thriller which explores the relationship between personal morality and political power. Hugh Laurie is an incredible actor who will play this fictional role with utter conviction, and it is a great honour to work once again with David Hare and The Forge to bring this brilliantly sharp and funny drama to BBC One.”

Further casting will be announced in due course.

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