Domhnall Gleeson, Andrea Riseborough in New Channel 4 Series

Channel 4 has partnered with multiple companies for the new original series Alice & Jack, starring and executive produced by Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie, Birdman) and Domhnall Gleeson (Brooklyn, The Revenant).

Created and written by Victor Levin (Mad Men, Mad About You), the series tells the love story of two people who are bound by a powerful connection as soon as they meet. The show is a Fremantle production in partnership with Me + You Productions, Groundswell Productions and De Maio Entertainment.

Groundswell handled development of the project, while Me + You was responsible for production and postproduction in the U.K. Fremantle is handling global sales.

Finnish director and screenwriter Juho Kuosmanen (Compartment 6) served as the lead director, while Hong Khaou (Lilting) directed the second block of the series.

“The intimacy of Alice & Jack makes it both heart-wrenching and unmissable in equal measure,” said Nick Lee, head of acquisitions and international at Channel 4. “The inventive producing partners, the expert performances and the overall creative energy has resulted in something quite special; we are delighted to be the U.K. partner at Channel 4.”

Before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Riseborough commented, “We unite in yearning to see evidence of real love, and, too, are soothed to share with one another the ache of its inevitable imperfection. This story is for anyone who could or couldn’t make the sacrifice that love demanded, for anyone who battles and accepts the one who makes their soul soar, for anyone who longs to feel, who has felt, and who feels the tingling anticipation of love’s joy.”

“The only work I’ve wanted to watch and do since the pandemic is work about connection and love and work with a sense of humor,” Gleeson noted before the SAG-AFTRA strike. “Alice and Jack keep coming back to each other because they can’t help themselves; they find in each other something that they don’t have on their own. I think they’re soulmates. I think it’s bigger than just the two of them. Their story centers on connection and love in the most beautiful way and reminds us that we are always allowed to smile—even if it’s through the tears.”

Christian Vesper, CEO of global drama at Fremantle, added, “Very rarely does a TV series pitch love and comedy in such a flawless combination. We’re both proud and humbled to be bringing such as a smart and sophisticated drama from a team of world-class creatives at the very top of their game. Working so closely with these partners of extraordinary value and extensive experience from the very inception of this project seemed the only way to embrace this new and exciting opportunity.”