ITV Commissions Mystery Thriller After the Flood

ITV has commissioned the six-part mystery thriller After the Flood, written by Mick Ford (Stay Close, Living the Dream, The Stranger).

After a small town is hit by a devastating flood, an unidentified man is found in an underground parking garage elevator and it’s unclear whether he became trapped as waters rose or something more sinister happened. Nicola Shindler (Nolly, It’s a Sin) and Quay Street Productions are producing the series.

The cast includes Sophie Rundle (Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders), Philip Glenister (Belgravia, Life on Mars), Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Bridgerton, I Hate Susie), Nicholas Gleaves (The Crown, The Rising, Bodyguard), Matt Stokoe (Cursed, Jamestown), Jonas Armstrong (The Bay, Floodlights) and Jacqueline Boatswain (Carnival Row, Anansi Boys).

BritBox International is on board as a co-production partner for the project, with Quay Street Productions producing in association with ITV Studios. Executive producers are Shindler and Richard Fee (Stay Close, The Stranger) for Quay Street; Huw Kennair-Jones for ITV; Reemah Sakaan and Stephen Nye for BritBox International; Ford; and Azhur Saleem (Anansi Boys, Doctor Who), who will also direct.

After the Flood will air on ITV1 and ITVX in the U.K. and on BritBox in the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Africa and the Nordics.

“When Mick Ford brought the kernel of the idea of After the Flood to us, we were immediately drawn in,” Shindler and Fee said. “Not just by the catastrophic repercussions of a deadly environmental disaster in a town that could very well be our own, but also the intricacies and deception at the heart of the characters’ stories. We have a brilliant combination of writing, directing and acting talent on board to bring this series to life, and we’re looking forward to working with our partners at ITV and BritBox International as we begin filming.”

“Mick has created a hugely compelling thriller as a small town is hit by a flood that proves to be life-changing for its residents in many ways,” said Kennair Jones, drama commissioner at ITV. “The brilliant combination of Mick‘s scripts and Nicola and the team at Quay Street means After the Flood is going to deliver a stunning visual treat and a great story.”

“I am always excited to announce a new project, but After the Flood in particular tops all of the others due to its ambition and the characters,” Ford said. “The cast are fantastic, and I am thrilled with how perfect each cast member is for their role. ITV have been brilliant throughout the writing process, allowing us the time to craft the scripts with care, which is rare and brilliant. Plus, working with Quay Street Productions for Nicola and Richard is so special—because they and their teams are so special, and I feel truly honored. It is going to be great seeing everyone getting into the story and seeing it come to life—and then there is the flood!”

Reemah Sakaan, CEO of BritBox International, added, “After the Flood is a gripping thriller featuring a fantastic cast led by Sophie Rundle as our determined investigator, getting stuck into a complex crime in her community, with environmental catastrophe as a backdrop. We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with ITV and Nicola’s team at Quay Street on this production. The series joins our world-class slate of quality British originals and its themes are sure to resonate with fans around the world.”

Rundle commented, “I am really thrilled to be joining After the Flood. Jo is a brilliantly bold, compelling protagonist. The story is sharp, intriguing and articulate about the climate crisis and the impact on the communities it is directly affecting. There are so many people I’m really looking forward to working with on this project. I can’t wait to get started.”