Channel 4 Commissions Crime Thriller from Eagle Eye Drama

Channel 4 has ordered to series the six-part crime thriller Before We Die from the newly formed production company Eagle Eye Drama, launched by the team behind Walter Presents.

Based on the hit Swedish series of the same name, Before We Die is set in Bristol. Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, Three Girls, Bob & Rose) stars as detective Hannah Laing, who becomes deeply conflicted when she discovers her son is playing a crucial role as an undercover informant in a brutal murder investigation. The cast also features Patrick Gibson (The Tudors, The OA), who plays the role of her mixed-up son, while Toni Gojanović (HBO Europe’s 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.

It marks Eagle Eye’s second drama commission.

Channel 4’s head of drama, Caroline Hollick, said: “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, commented: “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.”