MAXINE: CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR CHANNEL 5 TRUE CRIME DRAMA

Channel 5 and Clapperboard, Chalkboard’s scripted sister company, have announced the casting of key roles for their upcoming drama Maxine (3 x 60’).

Maxine will examine the police investigation into school assistant Maxine Carr and her caretaker fiancé Ian Huntley, who was later imprisoned for the double murder of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

The three-part drama will explore, through Carr’s perspective, her tumultuous relationship with Huntley; why she lied for him and how she became public enemy No.1, and will reflect the scale of the police investigation into the murders and subsequent media frenzy around the biggest manhunt ever seen in British history.

Newcomer Jemma Carlton will play the lead role of Maxine Carr, with Scott Reid (White House Farm, Line of Duty, Carnival Row) starring as Ian Huntley.

Steve Edge (The Madame Blanc Mysteries, Starlings, Floodlights) stars as journalist Brian Farmer, along with Natalie Britton (Them, Upcoming Reasonable Doubt, Finding You) as tabloid journalist Jane Kerrigan. In addition, Kate O’Toole (The Dead, Possession, Man on the Train) also features.

Mike Benson, Managing Director, Clapperboard commented: “The events of Soham in 2002 were a tragedy which touched the nation at large - and as such the casting process has been of primary importance to allow us to tell the story authentically and sensitively...

"We believe we’ve brought together a hugely talented and intelligent cast who bring nuance and a sense of realism to some really challenging roles”.

On the addition to Channel 5’s 2022 drama slate Sebastian Cardwell said: “The series marks a new venture into the true crime genre for Channel 5 drama and will give viewers an in depth examination of Maxine Carr and her role in one of the most notorious crimes in recent British history.”

Filming for Maxine started on location in May and is set to transmit on Channel 5 later this year.