LONDON, 7th March 2022: Paramount+ has ordered original UK drama series The Blue (7 x 55”), from New Pictures (Des, White House Farm, The Missing), part of All3Media, adapted from Lucy Clarke’s best-selling novel “No Escape,” ahead of the launch of the global streaming service in the UK this summer.
The series was commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer UK, at Paramount, in line with plans to feature premium local content on Paramount+, alongside an expansive catalogue of hit shows and movies from Paramount’s world-renowned brands and studios.
The Blue will be co-produced for Paramount+ by VIS – the international studio division of Paramount – as part of the streamer’s wider strategy to greenlight 50 new international scripted series in 2022.
The Blue follows two deeply bonded best friends, Lana and Kitty, on the run from the UK police. Together they find refuge on a romantic yacht called The Blue, crewed by a group of enigmatic, beautiful people who sail through South East Asia living a life of endless beaches, ocean and parties. But The Blue harbours dark secrets and when greed and lust drive the crew to make some terrible moral compromises, it leads to the death of one of their own. The paradise and escape the girls thought they had found turns into a nightmare as Lana and Kitty find themselves far from home and in terrible danger.
BAFTA Scotland award winner Abigail Lawrie (Tin Star) and Rhianne Barreto (The Outlaws) are Lana and Kitty respectively. Jay Ryan (It Chapter Two) joins the cast as Captain of The Blue, Aaron Winbourne, whilst Sean Keenan (The Power of the Dog) is Aaron’s younger, charming brother Denny. Jake Macapagal (Metro Manila) is Captain Rhys from the local Filipino Police force, investigating the mysteries onboard The Blue.
Additional casting for the series will be announced over the coming months.
The lead writer for the series is Kris Mrksa (White House Farm) and Hans Herbots (The Serpent, Cobra) is the lead director. Executive Producers for New Pictures are Elaine Pyke and Willow Grylls with Kris Mrksa.
The Blue will be available exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK and internationally.