Ordinary Lies - highly anticipated new primetime drama for BBC One
From RED Production Company, creators of hit series Happy Valley and Last Tango In Halifax, comes highly anticipated new primetime drama Ordinary Lies, penned by BAFTA and International Emmy-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst (Shameless).
Published: 3 March 2015
We all tell little white lies every day, be it for self-protection, success or for love. But what happens when a spur-of-the-moment mistruth snowballs and begins to take over? Is it possible get away with it, or will the lie inevitably come undone to devastating effect?
Set in a car showroom, Ordinary Lies is a compelling drama about how a simple lie can spiral out of control. With drama, tragedy, warmth and humour, each episode focuses on one of the colleagues and friends of JS Motors. From party-loving receptionists Tracy (Michelle Keegan) and Viv (Cherelle Skeet) and ambitious company boss, Mike (Max Beesley), to enigmatic salesman Pete (Mackenzie Crook) and mothering PA Kathy (Sally Lindsay), each new and individual story questions just how well we know the people we work with.
The first episode of the six-part series tells the story of family man and salesman Marty McLean (Jason Manford), who, when confronted with the possibility of losing his job, tells the drastic lie that his wife, Katrina, has tragically died. His colleagues are filled with shock and sympathy for Marty, but as they rally round to help the apparently grieving widower, his lie quickly unravels.
News of Marty’s loss brings back painful memories for Head of Admin, Beth (Jo Joyner), who is struggling to keep her family together after the disappearance of her husband, Dave, the year before. After receiving mysterious silent phone calls and, unsure if Dave is alive or dead, she confides in Mike. With Mike’s marriage to Alison (Belinda Stewart-Wilson) hanging in the balance though, the chemistry between him and Beth is difficult to ignore.
Meanwhile, it’s soon clear that Marty, Beth and Mike are not the only colleagues harbouring secrets. Despite her love of gossip, Kathy would be horrified if her colleagues knew the truth about her own private life, while mistakes in hypochondriac Pete’s past are on the verge of resurfacing, and confident ladies' man and mechanic Rick (Shazad Latif) gets himself into hot water after the breakdown of his marriage.
The six-part series is written by Danny Brocklehurst, produced by Tom Sherry (Scott & Bailey) and directed by John McKay (Life On Mars) and Juliet May (Call The Midwife). Executive producers are Nicola Shindler for RED Production Company and Polly Hill for the BBC. Ordinary Lies was commissioned for BBC One by Charlotte Moore and Ben Stephenson.
Notes to Editors
The full Media Pack can be downloaded here.
For more info, please contact
Katy Ardagh: katy.ardagh@premiercomms.com
Ruth Bray: ruth.bray@premiercomms.com
Amy Shacklady: amy.shacklady@premiercomms.com
