Lesley Manville completes cast for I Am Season 2
David Farnor | On 14, Jan 2021
Lesles Manville has joined the cast of Channel 4’s anthology series I Am.
Created by Dominic Savage, the series first aired last year and presented a trio of authentic and thought-provoking tales of contemporary female experiences and themes, including trust, relationships and mental health.
The first run starred Samantha Morton (Minority Report), Vicky McClure (This is England) and Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians).
Season 2 will again comprise three episodes. Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster – pictured) will star in I Am Victoria, alongside co-star Ashley Walters (Top Boy, Bulletproof). It is a meditation on the anxieties that often lie beneath a veneer of happiness and success. Suranne Jones portrays a woman weighed down by life’s pressures and in need of help, but unsure of where to seek it. Letitia Wright will star in I Am Danielle, alongside CJ Beckford and Sophia Brown. It is a reflection on the trials of young love and in the age of social media, where trust and betrayal go hand in hand.
Manville will take the lead in I Am Maria, alongside Michael Gould (Rogue One, Darkest Hour) and Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (Small Axe, I May Destroy You). It takes a look at a long-term relationship and the unexpected distress and opportunities encountered at life’s crossroads. In developing each episode of this new three-part series, Dominic Savage collaborated with the respective leading actors, for whom each of the stories holds a deep, personal resonance.
Manville said: “For me collaboration is everything. To be able to combine different creative minds and produce a work of drama is a thrilling privilege. Dominic and I have spent the past few months developing a character and scenario that will touch many people I know. This kind of work is not new to me and I’m relishing the chance to flex my improvising muscles once again.”
Produced by Me+You Productions, production wrapped on I Am Danielle and I Am Victoria last year. Production for I Am Maria commenced this week in London.
I Am returns to Channel 4
29th July 2020
I Am will return to Channel 4 for a second season.
The female-led drama anthology, which is created by Dominic Savage, first aired last year, presenting a trio of authentic and thought-provoking tales of contemporary female experiences and themes, including trust, relationships and mental health.
The first run starred Samantha Morton (Minority Report), Vicky McClure (This is England) and Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians). It became Channel 4’s most successful new 10pm drama in six years.
Now, Channel 4 has recommissioned the show for another trilogy of hour-long dramas, and it’s already assembling another impressive cast: Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster – pictured) confirmed to star in I Am Victoria, alongside co-star Ashley Walters (Top Boy, Bulletproof).
Each episode of the three-part series will be developed and written by Dominic Savage in collaboration with the leading actor – for whom, in each case, the story will have personal resonance.
Suranne Jones said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the next series of I Am. Dominic always tells important stories with great sensitivity and the process so far has been wonderfully collaborative and open which is something I thrive on. I can’t wait to make what will be a very personal and thought-provoking piece and I’m thrilled to be telling this story with Ashley. I hope it really speaks to people and helps continue the important discussions around mental health.”
Savage added: “I am looking forward greatly to making another series of female led stories with such amazing and incredibly talented actors, starting with Suranne. It is a privilege to be telling such personal and important stories in this unique and collaborative way. These will be inspirational, relatable, and truthful tales of courage and hope, that shine a light on the difficult and challenging aspects of all of our lives.”
I Am is produced by Me+You Productions. Executive Producers are Richard Yee and Dominic Savage, with Head of Drama, Caroline Hollick and Head of Development Gemma Boswell overseeing.
Season 2 will begin production in early August, with further casting yet to be announced.